led, not fluent 4th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, took keen hold, not fluent 2nd or 5th, every chance on bend after 3 out, mistake 2 out, no extra
held up in touch, not fluent 5th, driven and weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, took keen hold, closed on inside 7th, switched right before 3 out, led approaching next, headed before last, hung left and no extra in 3rd towards finish
tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 7th, went 2nd when not fluent 2 out, led and jumped right last, idled and edged right flat, ridden out
held up on outside, outpaced when not fluent 4 out, closed on bend after 3 out, not quicken 2 out, rallied and went 2nd flat, stayed on
Willoughby Court won the Neptune Investment at Cheltenham last year after landing this Grade 2 and The New One is also a recent winner. The latter’s trainer runs COUNT MERIBEL with a penalty and he is fancied to run the finish out of his rivals, all of whom are stepping up in class. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ six-year-old was outstayed over 3m at Cheltenham last time but his record over this shorter trip is impressive and he’s an accurate jumper who will love conditions. Mr Whipped and Chooseyourweapon both defend unbeaten records but Nicky Henderson’s charge appears to have the edge on collateral form and could be anything. Paisley Park was probably a lucky winner at Hereford and has much more to do here but makes more appeal than Wetherby scorer Knight In Dubai and Cave Top, who has only won in handicaps so far.
Count Meribel 7-4fav (11-1) Led, clear after 3 out until mistake 2 out, 2 1/2 lengths clear after last, ridden and reduced lead 150 yards out, headed final 80 yards, kept on, 2nd of 4, 2 3/4l behind Kilbricken Storm (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Cave Top (IRE) 11-8fav (11-10) Tracked leader, mistake 6th, led when not fluent 3 out, not fluent last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Crucial Role (11-7) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Chooseyourweapon (IRE) 5-6fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, lead 4 out, clear before last, held on well towards finish, won at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec beating Golden Sunrise (10-12) by 3l, 15 ran.
Knight In Dubai (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Raced keenly, tracked leader, led after 4 out, clear last, ridden out flat, stayed on well, won at Wetherby 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec beating Game On (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Mr Whipped (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, short of room on inside on bend after 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, led and edged right before last, rider lost iron and stayed on strongly run-in, won at Newbury 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec beating Gowiththeflow (10-12) by 3l, 10 ran.
Paisley Park (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, driven to chase leader after next, soon challenged, led soon after last, driven clear flat, won at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec beating Vision Des Flos (10-12) by 7l, 11 ran.
