prominent, mistakes 11th, soon niggled along and lost ground on leaders, weakened last
led, ridden after 2 out, went slightly right when hard pressed last, stayed on gamely, headed towards finish
always behind
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 11th, blundered 4 out, not fluent next and soon weakened
held up, headway 10th, mistake 4 out, not fluent 3 out and soon weakened
in touch, hit 3 out and soon slightly outpaced by front pair, rallied from 2 out to challenge last, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish
pressed leader, challenged 2 out, hampered between horses last, switched left and no extra
jumped moderately and ran in snatches, behind from 11th
NOUN DE LA THINTE is on a roll and she can make it six wins on the bounce; the list of alternatives is headed by Senor Shane and Marsh Court. A 7lbs penalty might not be enough to stop Venetia Williams' 9-year-old who is proving difficult for the handicapper to nail as she tends to just do enough in her races to win. That was the case again last time at Lingfield when she beat Vic's World and with ground conditions in her favour she is taken to register another success here. Senor Shane has a similar profile to our selection and he is bidding to complete a four-timer today. He won easily enough last week at Taunton and he is another who will relish these ground conditions. Marsh Court is a course and distance winner and she has a strike-rate of two from six over fences. She's on a fair mark and this longer trip will suit so it would not be a surprise to see her make the frame. Mr Prickle is a capable performer on his day and today's trip, track and ground should all suit. He could go well at an each-way price but it can pay to side with Noun De La Thinte to register another success.
Senor Shane (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Chased clear leader, closed going well after 3 out, led 2 out, clear before last, heavily eased towards finish, won at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft beating Anay Turge (10-0) by 4l, 13 ran.
Noun De La Thinte (FR) 2-1fav (12-2) Jumped well, made all, in command from 3 out, eased towards finish, unchallenged, won at Lingfield 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy beating Vic's World (10-10) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Silly Wupple 25-1 (10-13) Always in rear, lost touch and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Sound Stage (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) sft in Dec, 17 ran.
Onefourfun (IRE) 2-1fav (11-1) Raced keen in rear, headway 4 out, led approaching 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, no extra, 4th of 9, 13l behind Overserved (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb '08.
Machu Picchu (FR) 13-2fav (10-9) Held up, ridden and outpaced 3 out, never dangerous, 9th of 17, 32l behind Sound Stage (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) sft in Dec.
Mr Prickle (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Held up in rear, pushed along and struggling 10th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Fistral Beach (11-2) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft, 12 ran.
Josear 25-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, led 8th, headed 5 out, weakened between last 2, 6th of 12, 27l behind Pavillon Bleu (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Marsh Court 8-1 (11-2) Behind, blundered 9th, ridden 11th, no impression 4 out, left poor 3rd last, 3rd of 13, 35l behind Fighting Chance (11-7) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
