held up in rear, headway 4 out, went 2nd and challenged 3 out, held when ridden and lost 2nd between last 2, weakened flat
led, clear before 3rd, reduced lead before 4 out, headed well before 3 out, weakened 2 out
pecked 1st, held up in 6th, headway to 3rd 4 out, went 2nd between last 2, ridden and held last, weakened to 3rd final 150 yards
chased leaders, mistake 8th and hit next, soon lost place, moderate progress when went right last, plugged on flat
chased leaders, closer order on outside when slow 4th, ridden after 6th, well outpaced 9th, rallied and stayed on again approaching 2 out, went 3rd last, driven and stayed on to 2nd final 150 yards, closed on winner but held close home
in touch, not fluent 7th, weaked before 4 out, tailed off
chased clear leader, hit 7th, led well before 3 out, joined 3 out, stayed on to assert between last 2, held on gamely when pressed close home
Vinmix De Bessy is well up to winning this at his best but could only finish third a year ago and the race looks stronger this time. Winning point-to-pointer and bumper Outside The Box may need further while Tempting Paradise, twice a winner around this time a year ago, ran poorly on his reappearance in January. The handicapper hit Classic Fly hard after his short-head defeat by Diaco at Market Rasen in September and Owner Occupier makes too many mistakes so this can go to MARODIMA, whose strike-rate of 12 wins from 45 runs is a fair return and who has dropped to a decent mark over fences nowadays.
Vinmix De Bessy (FR) 22-1 (11-9) In rear when fell 3rd, in a race won by Lord Singer (11-4) at Fakenham 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Jan, 6 ran.
Marodima (FR) 9-2 (11-13) Led until headed 3 out, weakened rapidly well before next, tailed off, 10th of 14, 33l behind Balerina (10-2) at Kempton 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs in Feb.
Cortinas (GER) 50-1 (10-7) Led, jumped left 1st, headed 4th, stayed with leader until weakened after 3 out, 15th of 16, well behind Minnie Hill (10-8) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Outside The Box 12-1 (10-9) Led until 6th, remained prominent, hard driven when blundered and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Coup Royale (10-10) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb, 11 ran.
Tempting Paradise (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, lost place 6th, no chance after, 6th of 9, 39l behind Grand Lahou (11-2) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Classic Fly (FR) 14-1 (11-3) Chased leaders 1st, mid-division, mistake and reminders
Owner Occupier 11-4 (10-10) In touch, hampered 7th, chased winner next, mistake 4 out, weakened and lost 2nd 2 out, 3rd of 6, 34l behind Restezen D'armor (11-10) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
