made all, clear from 4 out, hit last, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
held up and always behind, tailed off
chased leaders, 2nd 3 out until next, ridden between last 2, weakened before last
chased leaders, jumped slowly and lost place 6th, weakened next
chased leaders on inside, went 2nd 4 out until hit next, chased leaders, 2nd again 2 out, no impression when hung right and left jumped left and mistake last, hung left and lost 2nd run-in, kept on close home
held up in last trio, ridden and struggling when fell 4 out
held up and behind, headway on outside approaching 4 out, pushed along and struggling after next, 5th and no chance before 2 out
chased winner until 4 out, chased leaders, weakened after next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, good headway chasing leaders after 4 out, went 3rd before next, 2nd and keeping on same pace when hit 2 out, soon lost 2nd, went 2nd again run-in, just held on for 2nd, no chance with winner
Count Meribel had been incredibly consistent before losing his maiden tag at Carlisle with a very easy victory then followed up on the same track three weeks ago where he made all. Palmers Hill won a point at Tyrella by 20l after which he went to the Cheltenham Sales and made £310,000. He had plenty in hand on his hurdling introduction at Uttoxeter and the third has come out and won easily. Winning bumper PERFECT HARMONY made a decent hurdling debut at Aintree and will be well suited by the step-up in trip so gets the vote in a tricky opener. Take To Heart has made all to land a couple of novices' events in fine style though takes on stronger company as does Chepstow winner Polydora but Bob Mahler had a nice confidence booster at Exeter after last season's mishaps and should do better.
Count Meribel 11-4 (11-4) Made all, blundered 3 out, joined next, soon ridden, edged left under pressure flat, stayed on towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov beating Kildisart (10-12) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Take To Heart Evensfav (11-7) Made all, hit 5th, ridden clear between last 2, kept up to work run-in, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) gd in Jun beating Havana Beat (11-0) by 3 3/4l, 8 ran.
Palmers Hill (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) In touch, jumped well, smooth headway to challenge 3 out, every chance next, led last, stayed on strongly, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) sft in Oct beating Enola Gay (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Polydora (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed before last, rallied to lead again run-in, driven out, won at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Oct beating Canelo (10-12) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Bob Mahler (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) In touch, driven to chase leaders before 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression, 5th of 13, 6 3/4l behind Dancing Shadow (10-12) at Exeter 2m 6f (3) sft in Nov.
Coeur Pensif (FR) 6-1 (10-12) Chased leaders on outside, 2nd before 8th, pushed along after 3 out, lost 2nd next, disputing 2nd when awkward last, weakened into 4th towards finish, 4th of 6, 6 1/2l behind Ballyknock Cloud (10-12) at Southwell 3m (4) gd in Oct.
Darius Des Bois (FR) 4-1 (11-11) Chsd ldr, 1l adv 1/2way, rdn in 2nd aft 2out, no ex & wknd straight, 5th of 7, 24 1/2l behind Master Of Tara (11-11) at Lemonfield 3m mdn hvy in Mar.
Johnny Ocean (IRE) 7-1 (12-2) Tr ldrs, 3rd 1/2way, prog into 2nd app str, imp to ld app last, ko strongly run-in, won at Ballyragget 3m mdn sft in Mar beating Pauls Hill (11-11) by 8l, 13 ran.
Perfect Harmony (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Mid-division, not fluent 6th, headway after 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on to chase clear pair flat, never on terms, lost 3rd final strides, 4th of 10, 9 1/4l behind On The Blind Side (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
