chased leader to 3rd, remained handy, reminded 8th, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
held up, jumped slowly 2nd and 3rd, reminder after 7th, weakened 8th, tailing off when pulled up before 9th
led, ridden and headed after 9th, weakened after 3 out
held up, behind from 8th, tailed off
in touch, chased leader 3rd, led after 9th, drew clear from approaching 2 out
held up, headway approaching 8th, every chance 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up in last, headway 8th, went 2nd after 3 out, no chance with winner before 2 out
FAIR QUESTION can get the better of Heathcliff and Honour High in a race where few are ruled out. Honour High found only the remarkable Little Shilling too strong at Fontwell and there were also plenty of positives to be taken from his reappearance at Chepstow. Alfasonic has been struggling over fences but returns to hurdles on a fair mark and the pick of his form puts him right there. Caipiroska broke a blood vessel when last seen and is probably best watched unless the market suggests otherwise. Helm and Deep Reflection are also difficult to recommend on their recent form but aren't forlorn hopes if you dig deep enough into the form books. Heathcliff has improved for joining Richard Lee and being stepped up in trip and it would be dangerous to assume that an 11lb rise for his win at Chepstow will be sufficient to anchor him; Minella Theatre and Maktu have both won since to give that form some substance. The selection showed a decent level of form over hurdles and fences for Venetia Williams but only gained one success in handicap company from a mark 13lbs lower than his current rating. He ran some fine races in defeat from higher marks though, ran his best race for a long time when chasing home The Very Man at Bangor in December and Fair Question looks capable of going one better here.
Honour High 9-2 (11-4) Raced wide, tracked leaders, challenged after 3 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Little Shilling (10-8) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Alfasonic 14-1 (11-9) In touch, dropped to rear and reminders 6th, not fluent 10th, no chance when blundered 13th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Tricky Trickster (11-5) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs (3) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Fair Question (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Led, headed approaching 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on from last, 2nd of 10, 2l behind The Very Man (11-0) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Helm (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Always behind, last of 16, well behind Cruchain (11-7) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Heathcliff (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (10-3) Mid-division, headway after 5th, went 2nd after 8th, ridden to challenge 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec beating Another Brother (11-1) by 3 1/2l, 18 ran.
Deep Reflection 17-2 (11-12) Not fluent, reminders 5th, always behind, 10th of 11, well behind Picaroon (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Caipiroska 11-8fav (10-9) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, every chance last, one pace, 3rd of 6, 13l behind Undeniable (10-8) at Kelso 2m 6f amt hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
