led, hit 16th, headed approaching 2 out, about 4 lengths down in 2nd and looking held when left in lead last, headed towards finish
held up towards rear, soon it touch, weakened from 3 out, pulled up before last
held up in touch, reminders after 12th, weakened next
held up towards rear, hit 7th, headway 15th, went 3rd 2 out, left 2nd last, kept on to lead towards finish
tracked leaders, hit 3rd, soon tracked leader, blundered 11th, lost place after next, in rear when pulled before 15th
tracked leaders, lost place 9th, headway on inner 11th, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, joined leader 2 out, about 4 lengths up when refused last
Although failing to complete in his last three starts under rules, earlier form that included a defeat of Garde Champetre in a cross country race at Cheltenham and recent improved efforts in point-to-points make DIX VILLEZ the one they all have to beat and he gets the vote with the main dangers rated as Floreana and Nadover. The last mentioned also has form that ties in with Garde Champetre but the nine-year-old has seemingly lost his way of late and, although running better in a recent start between the flags, he is hard to back with confidence. Maria Myco's Forty Shakes looks likely to be outclassed and of more interest may be Senora Moss, who has shown improved form in points in recent outings having been pulled up when last seen under rules at Kelso in February. Floreana also failed to complete on his most recent start in a hunter chase but has been running well in point-to-points of late and she rates one of the main dangers to the selection, Dix Villez.
Dix Villez (FR) 3-1 (12-5) (cp) led 10 til hdd app 2 out; no ch w wnr, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Briscoe Place (12-5) at Overton 3m ptp gf in Mar.
Forty Shakes (IRE) 14-1 (12-5) Hdwy 16; rdn & wknd 2 out, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Oaklands Luis (12-5) at Hutton Rudby 3m ptp in Mar.
Nadover (FR) 9-4 (12-7) Prom; led 16 til hdd aft 3 out; wknd qckly, 3rd of 4, 16l behind Aztec Warrior (12-0) at Thorpe Lodge 3m ptp gs.
Optimistic Harry 8-1 (11-0) Last to 14; nrst fin, 4th of 8, 12l behind Poppy Day (10-7) at Dalton Park 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Was I Right (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Lost tch aft 15, 4th of 6, 24l behind Special Portrait (12-0) at Whittington 3m ptp gd.
Senora Moss 3-1 (12-0) Held up; eff 4 out; kpt on one pce, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Lord Who (12-7) at Corbridge 3m 5f ptp gd in Mar.
Floreana (GER) 6-4 (10-7) (cp) ap; chall app last; just failed, 2nd of 5, nk behind High Five (11-0) at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd in Mar.
