tracked leaders, ridden 8th, weakened approaching last
in touch and keen, close up when unseated rider 4 out
tracked leader, weakened 4 out
held up towards rear, hit 4th and 6th, plugged on
ridden approaching 8th, soon beaten
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 7th, led approaching next, all out and held on
held up mid-division, headway 7th, going well approaching 2 out, ridden and switched left flat, every chance, just denied
led, ridden 8th, headed and weakened
held up, ridden from 5th, stayed on from 4 out, took 4th 3 out, weakened 2 out
We like the look of Femme D'avril to outstay Island of Memories and Native City. The selection comes from a yard having a purple patch at present. He was a winner at Wincanton over hurdles last time out and as a result is five pounds higher in the weights which looks fair. He has his first run over the bigger obstacles today and if putting in a clear round we feel he will take all the beating. Of his rivals Island of Memories will pose as the biggest danger. He has won over fences in the past and although a faller last time out if able to put that behind him and bounce back with confidence then he is to be respected. But jumping has let him down in the past and that will continue to be a worry. Native City does not look the most straight forward and his form figures are a little limited but mcCoy is booked ride and if anyone get get a little exta out of a horse it is him. But for the winner we return to Femme D'avril.
Caislean Na Deirge (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Mid-division, moderate 10th 3 out, kept on one pace, no threat, 6th of 20, 47l behind Rossdee Lad (10-5) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 sft in Dec.
Island of Memories (IRE) 66-1 (11-9) Held up, mistake 3rd, 4th when fell 3 out in race won by Bold Fire (10-2) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mrs nov chs (4) gs in Dec, 8 ran.
Battlefield 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leader and mistakes, lost place 7th, 10th of 11, well behind Rehearsal (11-4) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd in Jan.
Native City (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 5th, 8th of 15, 35l behind Wyldello (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Lorrelini (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Held up, mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened, 9th of 16, 24l behind Femme D'avril (9-13) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
All Sonsilver (FR) 66-1 (9-9) Prominent, weakened 15th, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Wizard of Edge (10-11) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs, 12 ran.
Femme D'avril (FR) 11-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, some headway approaching 2 out, shaken up and effort 2 out, switched left approaching last, ran on strongly flat, led post, won at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Dec beating Compton Star (10-11) by a shd, 16.
Kinkeel (IRE) 10-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, led 5th, headed after 5 out, weakened from next, 5th of 11, 17l behind Barton Sun (10-5) at Newcastle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Star Galaxy (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Towards rear, ridden 11th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 14, 33l behind Mighty Moose (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs (5) sft in Jan.
