The Gipper would have made short work of these in his prime but he wasn’t showing much over hurdles before switching to fences and is on a long losing run. Never Equalled won a Class 3 handicap at Ffos Las in the autumn before struggling over the larger obstacles. He has the highest rating of these but has been beaten in sellers before. This is TODD’s level and he was in fair form before his winter break. He is more consistent than Airton so gets the nod.
Never Equalled (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Prominent, led 7th until after 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 8, 31 1/4l behind Keep Wondering (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
The Gipper (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Led to 7th, not fluent 10th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 8, dist behind Keep Wondering (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Todd 5-2 (11-12) Pressed leader, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 13l behind Perfect Moment (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Airton 11-1 (11-11) Chased leaders on inside, led after 6th until 4 out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 13th of 16, 32l behind Imperial Elysian (11-8) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Karl Marx (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, 10th of 15, 24 1/4l behind Lily The Pink (11-10) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Llanbeau 150-1 (11-0) Held up in last pair, mistake 4th, never a factor, tailed off, 9th of 13, dist behind Calva D'Auge (11-12) at Plumpton 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Poniel 100-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, 7th of 9, dist behind Kid Commando (11-4) at Plumpton 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Avithos 16-1 (10-12) In rear, headway on inside when not fluent 6th, struggling 3 out, soon behind, pulled up before last, at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
False Getaway (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden and weakened before bypassing omitted 4 out, tailed off, 9th of 11, dist behind Endless Flight (10-13) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
