led, headed approaching 2 out, lost 2nd post
tracked leader, outpaced 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd post
held up in rear, headway 5 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden out
tracked leader, to 5 out, outpaced next
in touch to 8th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
DUSKY LARK has only managed one win so far over fences and is still 10lb higher but he’s only found one too good off similar marks in both runs this term so gets the nod. Notarfbad was no match for Astre De La Cour at Taunton and may need to drop a few pounds and a similar comment applies to Aintree third Somchine. But Lingfield winner Jaunty Inflight is back over fences after a second over hurdles at Market Rasen so warrants respect and makes more appeal than Wings Of Smoke, who has been treading water off his current mark lately.
Notarfbad (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Led until 4th, led again before next, headed 9th, under pressure 4 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 2nd of 3, 5l behind Astre De La Cour (11-5) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (3) gf in Dec.
Dusky Lark 9-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, in lead 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and joined last, soon headed and one pace run-in, 2nd of 15, 5l behind Poker School (10-3) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Somchine 33-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway on outside after 12th, hampered 4 out, 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 10, 4 1/4l behind Call Me Vic (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Wings Of Smoke (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Held up in rear, steady headway into 3rd before before 3 out, went 2nd before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Cody Wyoming (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Jaunty Inflight 8-11fav (11-0) Hit 1st, tracked leaders, tracked leader 3 out, ridden to lead next, driven flat, headed near finish, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Crafty Roberto (11-11) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
