held up, in rear, hit 12th, soon struggling
chased leaders, went 2nd 13th, led last, driven out
held up, in rear, ridden and behind from 13th, tailed off
held up, headway 4th, hit 8th, lost place when not fluent 11th, struggling when mistake 13th, tailed off
held up, towards rear, not fluent 11th, soon ridden, stayed on from 2 out, never near leaders
in touch, hit 5th, soon lost place, rear when not fluent 9th, weakening when hit 11th, tailed off
held up, soon in touch, outpaced from 13th, stayed on from 2 out, no impression
led, not fluent 9th, headed last, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish
held up, in rear, headway when mistake 11th, no extra flat
pressed leader, hit 12th, lost 2nd next, stayed on flat to regain 2nd towards finish
This track should suit HEATHCOTE and he is narrowly preferred to Victorias Groom, Tamarinbleu and Super Formen. Gary Moore's gelding is not the easiest of rides but he has some solid form to his name, including a second to Fistral Beach last time out. Having won at places like Fontwell and Plumpton before, the feeling is that this sharp, speedy course should suit and hopefully he can sustain enough interest to win it. Victorias Groom has now won two of his last three starts, although his latest task was made easier by being left clear by the fall of a major rival. He handles soft ground and may be fairly treated off 130. Saphir Des Bois has fluffed his lines of late, The Vicar should appreciate the drop in trip this afternoon, whilst Kia Kaha looks well-handicapped if back to his best. Piraya has not cut the mustard in better races, Tamarinbleu is the class-act in the race and his weight won't be a problem, whilst Super Formen should appreciate this easier course today. Buck The Legend looks too cumbersome for Warwick, and so it is Heathcote who is nominated.
Tamarinbleu (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Mistakes, always behind, 6th of 13, 29l behind The Sawyer (9-8) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Jan.
Piraya (FR) 4-1 (10-10) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, 11th of 13, well behind The Sawyer (9-8) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Jan.
Kia Kaha 12-1 (11-3) Behind, outpaced 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 10, 43l behind Sa Suffit (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft.
William Butler (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up in last, hit 5th, lost touch before 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, 50l behind Well Chief (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m chs (2) sft in Nov.
Heathcote 10-1 (10-13) Took keen hold, chased leaders, led 4 out, clear before 2 out, joined last, no extra and headed final 100 yds, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Fistral Beach (11-2) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
The Vicar (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Led to approaching 2nd, stayed front rank, ridden in 3rd when 4 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 4th of 12, 17l behind Qhilimar (10-11) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Victorias Groom (GER) 3-1 (11-4) Led after 2nd, not fluent from halfway, jumped right and mistake 4 out, driven clear 2 out, stayed on well, won at Fakenham 2m 5f nov stks (3) sft in Jan beating Five Dream (11-8) by 4l, 4 ran.
Saphir Des Bois (FR) 9-4 (10-9) Held up mid-division, outpaced from 4 out, 4th of 8, 12l behind Oiseau de Nuit (10-4) at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs 0-125 (2) sft in Jan.
Super Formen (FR) 5-1 (11-9) In touch, ridden in well held 5th when blundered 3 out, 6th of 12, 20l behind Qhilimar (10-11) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Buck The Legend (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Behind, reminders 6th, stayed on from 3 out, never nearer, 4th of 13, 25l behind The Sawyer (9-8) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Jan.
