mid-division on inside, ridden approaching 4 out when not fluent, behind 3 out, plugged on from 2 out
mid-division, pushed along from 6 out and dropped towards rear, tailed off
led, headed after 8th, pushed along and outpaced approaching 3 out, plugged on in distant 2nd
always towards rear, struggled throughout
handy, went on from 8th, ridden and went clear 3 out, very easily
in rear, mistake 5 out, pushed along and made no impression 4 out, never involved
Farne is hard to get a handle on as he's been in-and-out on his four chase starts. Maybe the application of first-time cheekpieces will have a positive effect. Wild Romance is only on a fourth start under Rules, so Dan Skelton obviously feels this is her metier and she's expected to improve on her chasing debut which came on probably unsuitable heavy ground at Bangor. She could well be the one but FORTUNES MELODY is a solid mare who usually is there or thereabouts and is taken to maximise her chasing experience. It's an open race though as Victorias Peak, who hasn't always looked the most straightforward, could well be just the sort to enjoy jumping fences, and Fairfield Ferrata is unexposed and another likely to prove useful over fences despite disappointing last time.
Farne (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Off the pace in 6th, pushed along and outpaced 13th, never on terms, 7th of 8, dist behind Complete Unknown (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Wild Romance (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden along before 2 out, weakened, 4th of 5, 19 1/2l behind Harper's Brook (11-2) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Fortunes Melody 5-1 (10-8) Prominent, pushed before 3 out, 3rd when ridden after 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 11 1/4l behind Tweed Skirt (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Victorias Peak (IRE) 9-4fav (11-7) Chased leaders, nudged along after 6th, pushed along 8th, stayed on one pace from last, 2nd of 10, 4 1/4l behind Felicie Du Maquis (11-7) at Warwick 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Fairfield Ferrata 4-1 (11-11) Led until 9th, mistake 12th, soon lost place, rallied before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 8, 16 3/4l behind Ile De Jersey (11-6) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Moon Eagle (IRE) 50-1 (12-0) Mid-division, under pressure in 9th after 3 out, no extra before last, 8th of 24, 26 3/4l behind Nephin Beg (11-11) at Cork 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
