jumped slightly left throughout, led until 9th, weakened 3 out, behind when mistake, stumbled and unseated rider last
prominent, led 9th until next, led approaching 2 out, kept on well, eased near finish
in touch, hit 2nd, led 10th until next, soon ridden, kept on same pace
held up, lost touch from 10th
in touch, headway 8th, led 3 out, ridden and headed next, kept on same pace
chased leaders until 9th, soon behind
stumbled first, held up, some headway 9th, soon ridden, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd at the last, not reached winner
Marcel may be coaxed to victory by Timmy Murphy, with Misty Dancer, Genghis and Palua all out to make things interesting. Marcel was a high-class performer over timber, scoring no less than nine times, including the 2005 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown. With that in mind, he was always going to be of interest when sent chasing, but until the last couple of months, he has been disappointing in the main, albeit tried at a high level. So, it was nice to see him pick up a couple of minor events this term, at Plumpton and Taunton. In between that brace he was beaten at Kempton, and in the process finished behind New Entic, whom he had accounted for the time before at Plumpton. He cannot be considered a good thing then, but the ability is still in there, and hopefully his pilot will nurse him round to prevail. Misty Dancer will be a live danger on the strength of his defeat of Jupon Vert at Warwick. He settled better than he usually does that day, and as long as he copes with the ground, can go close. Genghis was no slouch over timber, capturing the Scottish Champion Hurdle two years ago, but he was hammered by the selection's stablemate Buena Vista at Hereford, so the Pipe stable will have a good line to work on, while Palua will struggle off topweight. Although definitely no mortgage job, we feel that Marcel is worth chancing.
Palua 16-1 (11-10) Led to 2nd, lost place from 7th, 7th of 9, well behind Madison Du Berlais (11-7) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Jan.
Marcel (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Prominent, led 7th, hard pressed from 4 out, all out, won at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan beating Spidam (11-1) by a nk, 4 ran.
Misty Dancer 9-2 (11-5) Held up, headway after 5th, went 2nd 4 out, led approaching 3 out, clear 2 out, mistake last, comfortably, won at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec beating Jupon Vert (10-0) by 5l, 8 ran.
Lewis Island (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Soon chasing leaders, disputing 2nd when fell at the 7th in race won by Yes Sir (11-12) at Stratford 2m 4f nov chs (3) gf in Jun, 9 ran.
Tanikos (FR) 50-1 (9-13) Always behind, 8th of 16, 41l behind Border Castle (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
My World (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Nadover (11-6) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Gentleman Jimmy 10-1 (11-0) In touch until ridden and lost place from 8th, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Oedipe (10-2) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Genghis (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Led until 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, well behind Buena Vista (11-12) at Hereford 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Jan.
