tracked leaders in 3rd, led after 14th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed towards finish
held up in rear and mistakes, tailed off when pulled up 14th
tracked leader, weakened going to 3 out
held up in touch, went 2nd approaching 2 out, led towards finish
The Pious Prince has the potential to win this with something to spare but he comes with risks attached, so we'll side with RAY MOND ahead of Quartz Du Montceau. Sean Curran's gelding has been dropped a pound for a well-beaten third last time and, whilst he doesn't look tantalisingly treated, we know he stays this far and goes on any ground. A win back in November showed his capabilities and we fancy he could just add to his tally here. There can be no doubting the threat posed by The Pious Prince, who won a soft ground bumper on his debut so should not be inconvenienced by conditions. The gelding is unexposed over fences and ran well in a decent handicap over hurdles last time, the one serious concern being that he did break a blood vessel on his penultimate start when pulled up. That said, the likely favourite will take the world of beating here and perhaps taking him on will prove an act of folly. Top weight Quartz Du Montceau will do well to carry his welter burden to victory, especially as he's now a 21-race maiden. That said, some of his best efforts have come with cut in the ground and his handicap mark is declining to something like the right level. Hobb's Dream has shown a tendency to make serious mistakes and might not want to travel this far and Champagne Star has never threatened to win. A race in which the favourite will take all the beating but we'll have a pop at him in the shape of Ray Mond.
Quartz Du Montceau (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, pushed along 14th, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 30l behind Its A Classic (11-11) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Champagne Star 8-1 (10-11) Held up, ridden to chase leaders in 3rd ater 3 out, held when fell next, in a race won by Ayemdee (11-9) at Towcester 2m 6f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) hvy in Nov, 5 ran.
Ray Mond 11-1 (10-0) Led, mistake 8th, blundered 14th and 4 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 3rd of 14, 18l behind Rapid Increase (11-12) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
The Pious Prince (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Held up, headway to track leaders approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to take 2nd post, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Delcombe (10-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Dec.
Hobb's Dream (IRE) 7-2 (10-0) Held up, some headway on inside and pushed along before 9th, struggling next, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Noun De La Thinte (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
