tracked leader, led after 3 out, challenged next, driven clear last, comfortably
tracked leader, effort 2 out, hung right approaching last, kept on same pace
held up in rear, under pressure 3 out, soon weakened
led, keen, headed after 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened after next
took keen hold in touch, under pressure after 4 out, soon beaten
THOMAS DARBY is penalised for winning at Cheltenham in October but has placed in Class 2 company in both starts since. Rated 140, he looks to have a good opportunity in this given War Brigade has plenty to find on these terms despite scoring at Market Rasen on Boxing Day. Blue N Yellow was still beaten 10 lengths when runner-up at Uttoxeter recently and Ourmullion may prove a bigger threat debuting over hurdles having won five times on the Flat before switching to David Pipe’s yard. Fingal Girl and Emmpara look up against it on what little they have shown so far.
Thomas Darby (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Raced keen towards rear, headway 3 out, effort and chance next, one pace run in, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Mister Fisher (11-0) at Kempton 2m (2) gs in Dec.
War Brigade (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, led just after last, hard ridden, all out, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec beating Champagne Mystery (11-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Blue N Yellow (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Led, wandered into 2nd and 3rd, headed 3 out, mistake 2 out, no impression last, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Amirr (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) gd in Jun.
Emmpara 200-1 (11-2) Pulled hard, always in rear, tailed off, 10th of 13, dist behind Phoenix Way (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 5f (3) gs in Jan.
Ourmullion 8-1 (10-0) In rear, wide and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 4th of 11, 4l behind Mouchee (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Fingal Girl (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride and always rear, detached halfway, no extra 2f out, weakened, 12th of 13, dist behind Could Should Would (9-0) at Galway 7f mdn fll gd in Sep.
