chased leader, ridden and weakened after 6th
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and led briefly approaching 2 out, kept on but no chance with winner
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out
prominent, jumped left 2nd, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace
mid-division, ridden and weakened 5th, pulled up before 2 out
led and set fast pace, ridden after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out
in touch, ridden 6th, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up, ridden and headway from 3 out, one pace from 2 out
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden 3 out, soon no chance
prominent, ridden after 6th, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader, behind from 3rd, tailed off 5th, pulled up before last
mid-division until mistake and unseated rider 4th
held up, steady headway from 3 out, challenged approaching 2 out, soon led, driven out and drifted left flat
It's hard to go against any Paul Nicholls runner at the moment and so we will follow the sheep and side with KERRY'S GIRL ahead of Sangfroid and Bazart. A mark of 114 for her handicap debut makes this daughter of Flemensfirth of interest, as whilst it demands improvement on the bare form so far, it is unlikely to be the ceiling of her ability. She won her sole hurdles start in March at Exeter and granted a strong pace she should run well. Arthurs Dream is a course and distance winner, but that was only a lowly seller, so a bigger danger could be Sangfroid who doesn't look badly treated for this handicap debut judged by his two decent efforts behind Font. Dee Cee Elle needs watching in the betting on this reappearance, whilst Bazart is consistent and the form figures suggest that a win is imminent. Lancer Scott is yet to win but any sustained market support would be interesting for this handicap debutant off a mark of 100. Pepperoni Pete is well-treated on old form and this former Paul Nicholls inmate needs respect, however it is a current incumbent Kerry's Girl who gets the vote.
Pepporoni Pete (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) In touch, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 13, 34l behind Oldrik (10-6) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Oct.
Kerry's Girl (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 6th, challenged 3 out, wandered flat, led towards finish, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Mar beating Dancing Dasi (11-1) by a nk, 16 ran.
Nothing Is Forever (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 4th, effort 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 11, 28l behind Kosmos Bleu (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.
Sangfroid 25-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, lost place after 2nd, pushed along briefly after 4th, struggling after next, no impression after, 11th of 20, 19l behind Font (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Arthurs Dream (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 11th of 13, well behind Oldrik (10-6) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Oct.
Track Mac (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Prominent, lost place approaching 4th, soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by First Point (11-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct, 15 ran.
Dee Cee Elle 10-1 (10-12) Always behind, 11th of 14, 34l behind Majaales (11-8) at Chepstow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Bazart 5-1 (10-1) Towards rear, headway 3 out, every chance 2 out to approaching last, not quicken, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Oldrik (10-6) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Oct.
County (USA) 16-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden in 8th 4 out, soon weakened, 11th of 20, 48l behind Rebel Run (11-5) at Cork 2m hcp hdl 0-102 sft in Oct.
Skipper's Lad (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, well behind Barnhill Brownie (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Lancer Scott 8-1 (10-5) Never better than mid-division, 7th of 12, 35l behind Weather Front (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Allez Frank (GER) 20-1 (10-5) Led to 2 out, ridden and soon weakened, 5th of 13, 18l behind Oldrik (10-6) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Oct.
Turbo Shandy 8-1 (11-8) Slowly away, held up, headway 4th, outpaced after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 11th of 18, 11l behind Picky (11-5) at Towcester 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Triple Bluff 5-2fav (10-7) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, mistake 5th, headway next, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 11, 10l behind Dalaram (11-5) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Sept.