tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, ridden in 3rd after 5 out, not fluent 4 out, weakened before 2 out
led, ridden and headed 3 out, not fluent last, driven to close on winner final 100 yards, stayed on, just held
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 8th, led 3 out, soon ridden, edged right between last 2, blundered last, clung on
held up in last, not fluent 1st, always behind
held up, struggling 5 out, 25 lengths 6th 2 out, went 3rd last, no chance with front pair
held up, went 4th 8th, no impression, weakened 3 out
took keen hold, with leader until 7th, weakened after next, tailed off
The mare Tornade D'Estruval is capable of running well fresh and shouldn't be ignored in this. Ciceron showed consistent form prior to falling at the Cheltenham Festival while Private Equity got off the mark when dropped to 2m1f at Huntingdon, though will find this tougher under a penalty. GRANVILLE ISLAND was second in a handicap at Sedgefield last time having run well when third at Southwell earlier. This looks a decent chance to open his account over the larger obstacles with none of the remainder showing much so far.
Ciceron (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Fell 1st, in a race won by Oiseau de Nuit (11-8) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gd, 17 ran.
Private Equity (FR) 4-7fav (10-12) Made all, jumped well, clear 2 out, very easily, won at Huntingdon 2m nov chs 0-125 (4) gs beating Escort'men (10-12) by 17l, 3 ran.
Granville Island (IRE) 11-4fav (11-10) Led, headed before 3 out, held in 2nd when blundered 2 out, ridden and held in 3rd when left 2nd from last, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Bridlingtonbygones (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs.
Next Sensation (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always last, jumped left at times, lost touch 8th, fell 2 out, in a race won by Overturn (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m nov chs (3) gs in Feb, 4 ran.
Thunder Sheik (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Chased leader, led before 2nd, headed next, pressed leader, blundered and reminders 4 out, mistake and weakened 2 out, 7th of 9, 20l behind Le Bacardy (11-5) at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Mar.
Tom O'Tara 22-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, headway 8th, no extra before 2 out, 8th of 13, 21l behind Market Option (10-13) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Tornade D'estruval (FR) 15-8fav (11-12) Raced keenly, chased winner, no extra before 2 out, well beaten when blundered badly last, 2nd of 4, 23l behind Tatispout (11-10) at Southwell 2m Mares Handicap Chase (0-120) (4yo+) (4) gd in Nov.
