chased leaders, not fluent 8th and next, weakened before 4 out, driven before next, plugged on
last pair, tailed off when mistakes 6th and next, mistake 9th, never a factor
led until after 2nd, chased leader, in front again 9th until 2 out, soon no chance with winner, mistake and lost 2nd last, no extra in 3rd run-in
tracked leader, led after 2nd until 9th, dropped to 3rd next, rallied after 3 out, went 2nd at the last, no chance with winner
tracked leaders until jumped slowly and lost place 5th, behind and no chance after tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
raced out wide, held up in last pair, good headway tracking leaders 3rd, tracked leading pair next, close 2nd 4 out, ridden and lost 2nd after next, weakened badly
held up in last trio, steady headway tracking leaders after 7th (water), close 2nd after 3 out, led jumping 2 out, soon clear, stayed on strongly
Grey Diamond doesn’t look an easy ride but has shown some ability. Flegmatik was never travelling and pulled up behind Enzo D'Airy at Ascot in December but that wasn’t his true running, though he had struggled to cope with these fences earlier. Enzo D'Airy couldn’t cope with an 8lb rise and a step up in trip at Ludlow but can’t be ignored. NUMITOR is 2-2 over fences and has been thriving on ground similar to todays. More will be needed here off an 8lb higher mark but he is probably worth following until beaten. Enrichissant is preferred to Early Du Lemo and Belargus of the remainder.
Flegmatik (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Held up, ridden after 8th, lost touch 3 out, well beaten from 2 out, puled up before last, at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Enzo D'Airy (FR) 5-2fav (11-10) Mid-division, closed 3rd, challenged and jumped right next, led 5th, mistake 12th, headed 13th, no impression on winner 3 out, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 9, 18 1/2l behind Golden Whisky (11-1) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Numitor 5-2fav (11-12) Led until 4th, jumped left 8th, led again before 4 out, edged left after 2 out, jumped left last, stayed on well, clear towards finish, won at Wincanton 2m hcp (4) hvy in Feb beating Jackson Hill (11-9) by 6l, 8 ran.
Grey Diamond (FR) 17-2 (10-4) Jumped right at times, led until headed after 2 out, soon hung left dropped to 3rd and no extra, 3rd of 6, 10 1/2l behind Dostal Phil (10-7) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Enrichissant (FR) 15-2 (10-1) Chased leader until 7th, chased leaders, went 2nd before 3 out (normal 4 out) until after next, weakened on long run before last, (normal 2 out), 4th of 12, 15 1/2l behind Bennys King (11-9) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Early Du Lemo (FR) 5-1 (10-8) Led, mistake 2nd and soon headed, chased leader, in front again 4th, went clear 6th, mistake and went left 8th, hit 9th, headed last, weakened run-in, 4th of 8, 10 1/2l behind Ibleo (11-9) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Belargus (FR) 11-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 2f out, plugged on into 3rd final 100 yards, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Golden Taipan (11-4) at Kempton 2m (4) pol in Feb.
