raced wide, took keen hold disputing close 3rd, definite 3rd 14th, 2nd before 3 out, driven and no response before 2 out, dropped to 3rd and no extra 2 out
raced keenly, led, mistake 16th, not fluent and headed next, lost 2nd before 3 out, rallied to regain 2nd and went right 2 out, no chance with very easy winner
tracked leading pair, 2nd at 11th, led 4 out, clear and travelling strongly after next, very easily
chased leader, lost 2nd briefly and reminder 10th, dropped to 3rd next, last and struggling 14th, soon no chance, continued tailed off
VIRAK beat Deputy Dan over 2m4f at Fontwell in the autumn. He got tired and was well beaten over this trip at Kempton on Boxing Day but this looks a lot easier and he should bounce back to winning ways. Deputy Dan has become a little disappointing while Ainsi Fideles is less well treated than when rattling up a five-timer last summer. Phone Home has been beaten in six handicaps since scoring at Ffos Las last May and looks to be out of his depth.
Virak (FR) 9-2 (11-7) In touch left disputing 2nd 8th, 3rd when left clear 2nd 6out until run in, 3rd of 7, 42l behind Coneygree (11-7) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Deputy Dan (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) Not always fluent, held up, in touch from 2nd, went 2nd 13th until mistake 4 out, rallying when jumped right 2 out, jumped right and one pace last, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Sego Success (11-0) at Warwick 3m lst nov chs (1) sft in Jan.
Ainsi Fideles (FR) Evensfav (11-1) Led, jumped right at times, ridden and edged right after 2 out, headed last, no impression flat, 2nd of 3, 9l behind Splash of Ginge (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (2) gs in Oct.
Phone Home (IRE) 4-1fav (11-1) Sometimes jumped right, chased leaders, mistake 6th (water), went 2nd bypassing omitted 13th until 4 out, went right and outpaced next, plugged on into modest 4th run-in, 4th of 11, 23l behind Azure Fly (11-0) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
