held up mid-division, went 3rd before 2 out, led last, held on well towards finish
tracked leaders, weakened before 2 out
held up behind, headway before 2 out to chase leaders, one pace
tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out
led, soon clear, headed 2 out, weakened run-in
tracked leader, led 2 out, headed last, kept on and held towards finish
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, one pace
Benechenko has won a point-to-point and a hurdle so is an interesting recruit to hurdling. My Boy James probably surpassed expectations when second at Lingfield but that run will have taught him plenty. AZZERTI, however, sets a very decent standard on seconds to Movewiththetimes and High Bridge this season and can defy the penalty he picked up for winning a maiden at Towcester in between. Church Leap showed promise at the end of 2015 but has a lengthy absence to overcome.
Azzerti (FR) 6-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, soon tracked leaders, not fluent next, driven and stayed on to chase winner flat, always held, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind High Bridge (11-12) at Newbury 2m (3) sft in Feb.
Benechenko (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Chased leader until over 3f out, chased leaders ridden and chance when bumped 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 15, 17 1/2l behind Air Navigator (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f (6) sft in Feb.
Celma Des Bois (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, well beaten after 5th, tailed off last 3 out, pulled up after, at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Church Leap (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, plugged on under pressure approaching 2 out, went modest 4th before the last, 4th of 15, 36l behind Wait For Me (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Coudefoudre (FR) 50-1 (11-4) Towards rear, weakened well before 3 out, soon pulled up, at Hereford 2m 4f (4) hvy in Feb.
Legal Ok (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Led, headed over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 13, dist behind Black Op (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 1f (6) gd in Feb.
My Boy James (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, pushed along 3 out, left in 2nd approaching 2 out, soon ridden to challenge, kept on well closing stages, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Groundunderrepair (11-2) at Lingfield 2m mdn (4) hvy in Feb.
Two Hoots (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, headway after 4 out into modest 6th 3 out, no impression, soon well beaten, 8th of 16, dist behind Forza Milan (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Feb.
