led sole rival, jumped slightly right, left alone from 4th, in tight at the last
chased sole rival until fell 4th
BLUE HERON is much the best of these. Last year’s Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle winner returned from a lengthy absence with a good third at Market Rasen on his chasing debut and Dan Skelton’s charge should be winning this with a clear round. Bantam has won twice over timber and makes his chasing bow while Pinkie Brown didn’t get very far over fences at Cheltenham on his latest start but won at Towcester before that.
Pinkie Brown (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Chased leaders on inside, not fluent 1st, fell 3rd, at Cheltenham 2m (2) gd in Oct.
Bantam (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway approaching 2 out, one pace and beaten when left 4th last, no extra flat, 4th of 10, 8 1/4l behind Katie Too (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f lst (1) gd in Apr.
Blue Heron (IRE) 1-2fav (11-2) Tracked leader, effort approaching 3 out, not fluent next, never able to challenge, 2nd of 3, 8l behind Viens Chercher (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (3) gd in Oct.
