took keen hold, tracked leading pair, 2nd travelling well approaching 3 out, led before 2 out, driven between last 2, headed last, stayed on same pace flat, no chance with easy winner
held up in rear, smooth headway on outside approaching 3 out, tracked leaders approaching next, went 2nd travelling well between last 2, produced to lead last, soon shaken up and quickened clear, easily
led, bumped 2nd, pushed along after 3 out, headed before 2 out, ridden and lost 2nd between last 2, kept on same pace in 3rd
held up in last pair, driven in modest 5th before 2 out, never involved, tailed off
took keen hold in touch, steady headway to track leaders before 3 out, weakening when went left 2 out
tended to jump right, chased leader until approaching 3 out, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
in touch until 6th, soon lost place, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next
raced wide tracking leaders, hit 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before next
took keen hold tracking leaders, pushed along and lost place after 4th, reminders next, in touch when stumbled badly 3 out, soon ridden and beaten, tailed off and pulled up before next
Tidal Dance is the form pick here, despite coming up short back in handicap company at Warwick last time as he gained a deserved success at Towcester earlier. Allow Dallow has a bit to prove having been pulled up when odds-on at Exeter while the ex-Irish Boondooma has his first run for Richard Newland but Knight Of Noir won nicely last time, despite running green, and should have plenty more to offer. BROTHER DU BERLAIS makes his debut for the Nicholls team and races for the first time since August but fitness won't be an issue and it's interesting that he runs here under a maximum penalty as he has plenty of entries over the coming days. We'll give him a tentative vote with Harry Derham taking off 5lb.
Brother Du Berlais (FR) (10-5) won at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f 4yo hdl gs in Aug beating Lord Of Scotland (10-12) by nk, 17 ran.
Knight Of Noir (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) In rear, headway before 2 out, went 2nd before last, led run-in, kept on, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Cool George (10-9) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Tidal Dance (IRE) 5-4fav (12-1) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, went 2nd from 3 out, switched left before last, close up when not much room last, stayed on, held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Kris Spin (11-12) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Allow Dallow (IRE) 4-7fav (11-0) Held up mid-division, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up, in a race won by Royal Player (11-0) at Exeter 2m 5f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Boondooma (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Soon mid-division, 8th before 6 out, ridden along in 9th approaching straight, went moderate 3rd from 2 out, kept on well without getting to 1st 2 run-in, 3rd of 16, 2l behind Benrouge (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn hdl hvy in Jan.
Castarnie 66-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, well behind 7th, 8th of 10, well behind Horizontal Speed (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) hvy in Jan.
Genson 100-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 15, well behind Royal Player (11-0) at Exeter 2m 5f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Hell's Spirit (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, went 3rd between last 2, no impression when dropped to 4th flat, 4th of 10, 13l behind Chatterbox (11-0) at Newbury 2m hdl (4) hvy in Dec '12.
Saddlers Encore (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 6f out, weakened 4f out, 8th of 13, 28l behind Battle Born (10-12) at Warwick 2m NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
