led to approaching 2nd, stayed front rank, ridden in 3rd when 4 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
chased leaders, hit 3rd, challenged 7th, led 4 out to 2 out, dropped to 3rd and ridden before last, rallied to 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
in touch, ridden in well held 5th when blundered 3 out
close up, mistake 8th, soon lost place, blundered 11th and 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
towards rear, not fluent 4th, ridden and struggling 12th, soon pulled up
in touch, driven along 13th, weakened steadily from 4 out
chased leaders until lost place 6th, struggling in rear after next, tailed off when pulled up approaching 11th
behind, some headway after 13th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
in touch, effort from 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, led approaching last, driven clear and stayed on well
close up, mistake 6th, 6th and weakening when blundered 3 out
behind, jumped slowly 9th, no chance in rear when blundered 4 out, tailed off when blundered last
tended to jump right, chased leaders, led approaching 2nd to 4 out, led again 2 out, already headed when blundered badly last, not recover and lost 2nd towards finish
There's no doubting that Far More Serious is on top form at the moment and although we respect his chances better value might be had in backing OUSTE after his run last time and Qhilimar is another name for the shortlist. On bare form the pick probably has a bit to find on the forecast favourite but there was a lot to like about the way he ran last time when only finding an animal on red hot form too good last time. That was a much improved performance than previously and if building on that he should go very close. Far More Serious has won two of his three starts since returning from over 600 days away from the racecourse. In his latest success he showed no signs of stopping and his latest mark rise might not prevent a follow up if in the same mood. Qhilimar has looked mildly progressive in his last two starts and should improve again to challenge and Super Foreman is given a chance now dropped back in class slightly. Another pretty decent race where we try to get some value by siding with Ouste.
The Vicar (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, mistake 10th, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 11, 33l behind Shining Gale (11-12) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov.
Far More Serious (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led 3 out, in command last, stayed on well run-in, won at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs (4yo+) (3) gs in Dec beating Fistral Beach (11-10) by 9l, 10 ran.
Super Formen (FR) 7-2 (11-2) Led to 3rd, chased leader, led approaching 4 out, ridden and headed last, weakened flat, 4th of 9, 9l behind Magic Sky (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec.
Golden Flight (FR) 25-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway and in touch 8th, hit next, outpaced 5 out, weakened from next, 10th of 14, 49l behind Beat The Boys (10-12) at Newcastle 3m listed hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Wind Instrument (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, well behind Calgary Bay (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Dec.
Gripit N Tipit (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Tracked leader to 1st, went 2nd from 7th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, well behind Flake (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Leading Authority (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 7th, mistake next, weakened 9th, 6th of 7, well behind Victory Gunner (9-13) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Feb.
Surfboard (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, pushed along 4th, never dangerous, 14th of 15, well behind Classic Dream (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Qhilimar (FR) 10-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden and headway under pressure 3 out, chased winner before last, kept on flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Sound Stage (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) sft in Dec.
The Real Deal (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) Held up, mistakes 3rd, 7th and 9th, headway 17th to chase leading trio approaching 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 9, 31l behind Shillingstone (11-3) at Newbury 3m 2f am hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Ouste (FR) 50-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway to chase winner after 4 out, led briefly when mistake 2 out, kept on and every chance until no extra flat, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Noun De La Thinte (10-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Freeze Up (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Led to 5 out, soon outpaced, weakened 3 out, pulled up next, in a race won by Fine By Me (9-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
