led, not fluent 3rd, headed after 6th, led again when not fluent 3 out, went left 2 out and last, headed flat, no extra
tracked leaders, went 2nd when not fluent 3rd, led after 6th, headed 3 out, not fluent 2 out or last, led again flat, stayed on well
held up in last pair, not fluent 3rd or 6th, mistake 7th, weakened before 9th, tailed off
chased leaders, not fluent 1st or 8th, weakened before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
bumped 1st, tracked leader until 3rd, weakened 8th, tailed off
bumped 1st, raced in last pair, not fluent 3rd, ridden and struggling after 6th, well beaten 8th, tailed off
Intelligent placement of stable inmates has been a hallmark of the Rebecca Curtis approach and it's no surprise to see the yard once again operating at a healthy strike rate of 24% this term. Scoter Fontaine doddled up here last time over 2m4f and looks to only have one major danger in BENEFIT OF YOUTH. Tim Vaughan's charge was a smooth winner from Je T'Aime at Uttoxeter on his first start since last Boxing Day and also houses some fair bumper and novice hurdle form to his name. There should be little between the pair but it's the latter who's just preferred in receipt of a stone from the topweight. It's hard to make a case for anything else with Golden Squirrell nothing but a token choice for the minor placing.
Scoter Fontaine (FR) 8-13fav (11-5) Made all, clear before 2 out, not fluent last, very easily, won at Worcester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd beating Keel Haul (10-12) by 16l, 8 ran.
Benefit Of Youth (IRE) 6-5fav (10-11) Not always fluent, prominent, led before 3 out, clear from next, mistake last, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f 4yo mdn stks (5) gf beating Je T'aime (9-10) by 11l, 10 ran.
Cute Court (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, ridden and hung left over 3f out, soon beaten, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 8, 44l behind Man Of Steel (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gf.
Dbanks (IRE) 11-4 (12-0) Chsd ldrs, prog in 2nd aftr 4th, 3rd & rddn 5out, wknd in 4th well aftr 3out, to when pu bef 2out, in a race won by Fence Me In (12-0) at Ballindenisk 3m ire ptp hvy in Dec, 14 ran.
Golden Squirell (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 3rd before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 12, 49l behind My Lucky Flame (10-2) at Worcester 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Lightning Bill 20-1 (10-12) In rear, reminders after 1st, 2nd and 3rd, well behind after 4th, tailed off 6th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Scoter Fontaine (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd, 8 ran.
Shanks A Lot 50-1 (10-9) Prominent, not much room 1st, not fluent 3rd or 4th, ridden 7th, weakened after 8th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Ugly Bug (11-0) at Ffos Las 3m mdn hdl (4) hvy in Feb, 13 ran.
