Misty Bloom was an easy winner over track and trip in November but she couldn’t cope with an 11lb rise at Cheltenham subsequently. She’s not very big and her big weight may catch her out on the ground. Stablemate FORTUNATE GEORGE makes more appeal, despite a losing run. His last victory came around here off an 12lb higher mark and has hasn’t been running badly this term, though will need to reverse Fontwell running in October with Hygrove Percy. Eur Gone West will almost certainly have needed last month’s run at Sandown but Storm Home looks better treated on the pick of his form. Le Milos is preferred to Destin D'Ajonc of the remainder.
Eur Gone West (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Led, ridden and headed turning in, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 11, dist behind Go Whatever (10-6) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Misty Bloom (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 2nd, never on terms, 12th of 16, dist behind Dame De Compagnie (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Hygrove Percy 20-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, lost place before 2 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 11, 28 1/4l behind Eva's Oskar (10-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Gangster (FR) 28-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd, led 7th until 3 out, weakened quickly soon after, 5th of 8, 30 1/2l behind Boss Man Fred (11-2) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Destin D'Ajonc (FR) 8-1 (11-12) In rear, mistake 4th, not fluent and behind next, 6th of 7, dist behind Applesandpierres (10-11) at Leicester 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Le Milos 25-1 (10-12) Held up behind, ridden after 2 out, never a threat, last of 10, 18 1/2l behind Jatiluwih (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Storm Home (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Towards rear, weakened from 4 out, soon tailed off, 6th of 11, 14l behind Earth Moor (10-6) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Fortunate George (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Keen prominent 2nd, led next, headed 5th, remained prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 10, 19l behind Mr Muldoon (11-10) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Espalion (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Towards rear, some headway after 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 15, 17 1/4l behind Annsam (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Woulduadamandeveit (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, jumped left at times, some progress from 2 out, no impression, 5th of 12, 12 1/4l behind Flinck (11-7) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Nov.