ENFANT DE LUNE can shine once again and complete a double at the main expense of Highest Esteem and Have You Seen Me. Alan King's charge may just have been in need of the run when weakening in the closing stages at Warwick on his British debut but he showed the benefit of that outing with an impressive victory in attritional conditions at Doncaster. The second was a well regarded horse of Paul Nicholls and there doesn't appear to be anything of that quality in this field. If there is an exception to that then it could be Have You Seen Me who was impressive when landing a Stratford bumper before being asked to contest graded events at Aintree and Punchestown. He's clearly held in some regard but the yard's form remains a cause for concern. Gary Moore's runners should always be on the short-list and High Esteem should improve on his debut and make his mark in time as he's a half-brother to Junior. Expect him to go well but don't expect him to get the better of Enfant De Lune.
Enfant De Lune (FR) 5-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, led after 2 out, driven out, won at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Thundering Star (11-5) by 2l, 12 ran.
Bering de Lauriere (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, some headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, well behind Celticello (11-3) at Leicester 2m 4f sll hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Dont Even Ask 22-1 (10-11) Held up, ridden along from 3f out, weakened, 10th of 17, 19l behind Ellen Tilley (10-6) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Have You Seen Me (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) last of 17, well behind Cousin Vinny (12-0) at Punchestown 2m nhf Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Highest Esteem 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 6th, soon ridden, held when hit last, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Our Bomber Harris (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Lunces Lad (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, losing touch 4th, mistake 2 out, 19th of 21, well behind Cracboumwiz (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Maderson Blue (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Mid-division, hampered on bend over 9f out, driven along 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 4th of 11, 15l behind Zarrafakt (10-13) at Folkestone 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Nov.
Wandering Minstral 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, 8th of 13, 38l behind Wessex King (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Wise Men Say (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 13, 31l behind Hearty Dove (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Pistol At Dawn (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) In rear, some headway 4f out, 7th of 15, 27l behind Swansbrook (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Flash of Fire (USA) 4-1jt-fav (8-11) Chased clear lead, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 6l behind Play Up Pompey (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec (Flat).
