raced wide, held up last, ridden, no impression with leaders before 4 out
chased leaders in 4th, hit 3rd, left chasing winner from 8th to 14th, beaten when mistake 4 out and 2 out
ran in snatches, dropped out 4th, soon driven along, moderate effort approaching 4 out,
raced keenly, tracked leading pair 4th, chased winner 14th, ridden after 3 out, held 2 out, kept on as easy winner, eased flat
led, not fluent and reminder 5th, fell 8th
mostly jumped well, tracked leader, left in lead 8th, not fluent 3 out, in command next, eased flat
De Blanc faces a relatively straightforward task in her bid to follow up her Towcester win of 11 days ago; she may have the most to fear from Special Conquest and Bohemian Boy. The last named has run with credit in each of his starts this season and deserves a change of fortune. The eight-year-old is lightly raced and open to improvement now that he has proved himself over fences. Mark Pitman's charge is worth noting in the betting market. Special Conquest has also shaped as if his turn is not too far away and, as he has a fair bit of chasing experience to draw from, he rates as the main threat to the selection. The ground has come up in his favour and he is likely to be a tough customer to deal with. However, De Blanc is as tough as they come and is sure to set them a testing gallop if she runs her usual race. Her 7lb mares allowance only enhances what appears to be a good opportunity for the versatile De Blanc to maintain her progression.
Bohemian Boy (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, headway 16th, soon no impression, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Thistlecraft (11-5) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (3) gd in Jan.
Concert Pianist 20-1 (11-9) In touch, mistake 3rd, weakened after 7th pulled up at the 8th in race won by Passenger Omar (10-4) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan, 16 ran.
Five Alley (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-12) Soon driven along towards rear, headway under pressure from 11th, stayed on approaching last, 3rd of 12, 17l behind Tallow Bay (9-7) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Mioche d'Estruval (FR) 33-1 (10-4) Never going well in rear, mistake and ridden 6th, well behind 3 out, 15th of 18, 43l behind Ungaro (10-8) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd.
Special Conquest 12-1 (11-5) Led to 9th, led again approaching 14th, headed flat, stayed on gamely, 2nd of 10, hd behind Finzi (10-7) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
De Blanc (IRE) 9-4fav (11-6) Made all, clear 3 out, easily, won at Towcester 2m 6f mrs nov chs (4) gs beating Viciana (11-0) by 16l, 8 ran.
