PLEIN POUVOIR caused a bit of an upset in a conditionals' race at Cheltenham last week but there appeared no fluke about the result. Venetia Williams' strapping gelding is only a pound higher in the weights and should be too good for these. Pericoloso has won here over hurdles but hasn't shown much in tow runs to date over the larger obstacles while this company may be too rich for Jim Payne's veteran Knapp Bridge Boy. Glen Countess was pulled up at Fontwell last month and neither Olympian Boy nor Morgan's Bay have shown much lately either.
Plein Pouvoir (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 12th, blundered 4 out, upsides 2 out, led narrowly when not fluent last, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) sft beating Red Rouble (10-2) by 4l, 12 ran.
Pericoloso (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Behind, slow and ridden 9th (water), mistake 14th, pushed along and struggling in 5th before 4 out, never involved, tailed off, 5th of 8, 43l behind Grandioso (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f beg chs (3) sft.
Olympian Boy (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up behind, steady headway after 11th, driven and kept on same pace from 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 10, 24l behind Triptico (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy.
Morgan's Bay 80-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, not fluent 4th, headway approaching 4 out, ridden in 4th soon after 3 out, not fluent next, 5th and beaten when blundered last, 5th of 7, 15l behind Milarrow (11-1) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Knapp Bridge Boy 12-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway 11th, weakened before 4 out, 5th of 10, 30l behind Fairy Rath (11-10) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Glen Countess (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Tracked leader, led 5th, headed when not fluent 3 out, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Rydalis (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f Mares Beginners Chase (0-110) (4yo+) (4) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
