mid-division, ridden and effort 3 out, weakened 2 out
prominent, led 4th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, ridden and weakened 6th, pulled up before 2 out
held up and pulled hard, headway after 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and hung left approaching last, ran on well on flat
led to 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after
chased leader, every chance 3 out, ridden and led briefly approaching 2 out, rallied last, not quicken flat
in touch, ridden and weakened 7th
This looks a good opportunity for FISTRAL BEACH who is nominated to get the better of Penn Da Benn and Stripe Me Blue. This 6-year-old from the Paul Nicholls yard has only had three runs but he has impressed on each appearance on the racecourse. He lost no caste in defeat behind Midnight Sail at Ascot last time, and he proved that day that this trip holds no fears. He goes on the ground and he can get his head in front for the second time in four starts. Penn Da Benn won well last time at Exeter but it is hard to know what he beat that day and he is not the most reliable jumper. Stripe Me Blue does tend to go well here and he should be suited by the return to timber after falling last time out on his chasing debut. Qulinton and Gallant Approach are others worthy of a mention, but Fistral Beach has a progressive profile and he should prove tough to beat.
Qulinton (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Chased leader, led 6th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 15th of 19, well behind Punchestowns (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Nov.
Fistral Beach (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed soon after last, no extra, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Midnight Sail (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Gallant Approach (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Towards rear, blundered badly 11th, hit 15th (Chair), never dangerous, 12th of 40, well behind Silver Birch (10-6) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr '07.
Penn Da Benn (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Held up behind, headway approaching 3 out, led on bit 2 out, shaken up last, pushed out, readily, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jan beating Wychwoods Legend (11-5) by 6l, 8 ran.
Arctic Echo 66-1 (11-8) pulled up 3 out in race won by Maktu (10-9) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Stripe Me Blue 3-1 (10-5) Led until fell at the 2nd in race won by Saphir Des Bois (10-8) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) gs in Jan, 8 ran.
Deep Reflection 14-1 (10-11) Held up, headway approaching 8th, every chance 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 7, 31l behind Heathcliff (10-5) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan.
