TOWN PARKS looks to have improved again this season as he was running on again when a close third at Carlisle last time having won earlier at Hereford. Charmant races off the same mark as when successful 12 months ago but needs to rediscover his best form. Zolfo, prolific last season, ran a shocker on his reappearance in October and hasn’t been seen since but still looks the stable pick ahead of Fortified Bay. The Paddy Pie has place claims again but still looks a few pounds too high but Champagne Mystery will appreciate this drop in class after falling in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham and Maypole Class is on a hat-trick, though raised a further 8lb after a cosy win at Fakenham.
Champagne Mystery (IRE) 22-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, pulled hard, steadied 3rd, fell 5th, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Charmant (FR) 28-1 (10-5) Well towards rear, hampered 11th, behind from 13th, tailed off, 7th of 10, 33 1/4l behind Yorkhill (10-10) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp lst (1) gd in Nov.
I'm To Blame (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Led, not fluent 4th, headed after 4th, weakened from before 3 out, 8th of 9, dist behind Navajo Pass (12-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
King's Odyssey (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along back straight, detached turning for home, pulled up before 4 out, at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Maypole Class (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, joined leader 3 out, led soon after next, ridden and ran on, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Duhallow Lad (11-2) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Town Parks (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Prominent, niggled along before 3 out, pushed along and reminders when outpaced approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Jonniesofa (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Zolfo (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Slightly worse than midfield, struggling after 4th and pulled up before 6th, at Ayr 2m hcp (3) hvy in Oct.
Fortified Bay (IRE) 18-1 (11-7) Disputed lead, not fluent 6th, chased leader when not fluent 10th and 15th, mistake when 3rd 5 out, 4th and ridden 4 out, bad mistake 3 out, disputed 2nd 2 out, jumped left last, kept on for 2nd run-in, 2nd of 11, dist behind Perfect Candidate (11-11) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
The Paddy Pie (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd 11th until 3 out, plugged on in 3rd, 3rd of 13, 12l behind Clan Legend (11-2) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Last Goodbye (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Close up, led 3rd, headed 7th and reminder, led narrowly 11th, not fluent 12th, headed 14th and ridden, weakened before 3 out, 3rd of 9, dist behind Truckin Away (11-4) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
