mid-division, ridden and effort after 3 out, weakened 2 out
towards rear, ridden and headway 2 out, chased leaders last, kept on one pace
tracked leader, challenged after 3 out, weakened after
held up, headway approaching 2 out, every chance approaching last, hit last, not quickened flat
fell 1st
towards rear, lost touch 5th
prominent, led after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, headway and challenged after 3 out, ridden and not quicken approaching 2 out
prominent, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, stayed on well to go 2nd from last, not reached winner
led to after 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
held up, headway on outside approaching 2 out, led 2 out, ridden out
TENDER FALCON has less to prove than a few of these and is therefore selected. Nortonthorpe Lad and Show Winner figure prominently amongst the dangers. Ron Hodges' charge made a winning handicap debut in smooth style on just his third start over obstacles and it's reasonable to think that there may be some improvement to come. He competes from a 12lb higher mark but the form is solid with the runner-up running well in defeat on Thursday. Quasar D'Oudairies and Maraafeq hail from yards that have been amongst the winners lately so support for either should be taken seriously. The former has plenty to prove but the latter faces a lesser task than in the two races he's contested since returning from a summer break. Nortonthorpe Lad and Chrysander have both proved fairly consistent but receive little respite as a result and could be vulnerable. Show Winner is unexposed but was very disappointing at Kempton on Boxing Day, although a repeat of his penultimate start should see him go close. A few of the remainder are either unexposed or have form to their name some time back so are worth monitoring for support but last time out winner Tender Falcon could be the one.
Chrysander 33-1 (11-6) Not fluent, rear, blundered 9th, stayed on to take 3rd 3 out, lost 3rd flat, 4th of 5, 37l behind Araldur (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Nortonthorpe Lad (IRE) 16-1 (9-12) Mid-division, headway after 4th, challenged 3 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed when mistake last, hung left flat, no extra, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Sporazene (11-4) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gf in Aug.
Show Winner 11-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, chased leader, hit 2nd, challenged 3 out, weakened and hit next, 7th of 14, 29l behind Micheal Flips (11-8) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Tender Falcon 14-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, pushed along after 4th, headway on inside approaching 2 out, led and went right last, stayed on well flat, won at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec beating Night Cru (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Kingscape (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Held up, never troubled leaders, 8th of 13, well behind Oldrik (10-8) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Quasar d'Oudairies (FR) 33-1 (10-4) Held up 5th, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened, last of 5, well behind Lupanar (10-4) at Exeter 2m 3f 4yo hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Maraafeq (USA) 14-1 (10-1) Always rear, tailed off, 12th of 14, 49l behind Helens Vision (10-7) at Newbury 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Histoire De Moeurs (FR) 33-1 (9-12) Took keen hold, led 3rd and set steady pace, headed before last, lost 2nd on flat, rallied to regain 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Ingratitude (11-9) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Dec.
Sangfroid 7-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 14, 15l behind I'm A Legend (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Carson's Spirit (USA) 20-1 (10-11) Took keen hold, in touch, hit 4th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Stradbrook (11-2) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
White On Black (GER) 11-8fav (11-7) Hampered 1st, in touch, hampered 4th, led 6th, ridden and headed last, soon beaten, 2nd of 8, 15l behind Misbehaviour (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f sll hdl (5) sft in Mar.
