jumped left, led, not fluent 4th or 3 out, soon headed, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, driven 2 out, one pace and beaten in 4th before last, weakened flat
took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd before not fluent and went left last, well held by winner flat
tracked leader, challenged 4th, led after 3 out, edged slightly left 2 out and last, stayed on well to draw clear flat
chased leaders, not fluent 1st or 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out until approaching last, one pace
Global Thrill has been on a terrific run but today’s conditions may be too testing and he was beaten 14 lengths by Ivor's Queen here two runs ago. Colin Tizzard’s mare has no form on ground this soft either, however. The Gipper likes the mud but turned in a shocker reverting to hurdles at Exeter. CAPELAND doesn’t look an easy ride but was less than a length behind a subsequent winner when fourth at Sandown and will enjoy the surface so gets the vote as Coeur Blimey has only raced once since second to Air Horse One at Exeter last New Year’s Day, though didn’t fare badly.
The Gipper (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked winner until 6 out, soon lost place, tailed off 4 out, 5th of 6, dist behind Speredek (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Ivor's Queen (IRE) 9-2 (12-2) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, effort when mistake 2 out, weakened closing stages, 4th of 7, 12 1/4l behind Lady Of Lamanver (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Capeland (FR) 3-1jfav (11-12) Held up behind, pushed along and headway after 3 out, led narrowly next, ridden and headed flat, no extra and dropped to 4th near finish, 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Golan Fortune (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Coeur Blimey (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 5th of 19, 10 1/4l behind Magic Dancer (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Global Thrill 9-1 (10-1) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, chased leader next, every chance when not fluent last, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Little Chunk (11-3) by nk, 7 ran.