chased leaders, 2nd halfway, blundered 13th, effort 2 out, led last, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, jumped slowly, lost place 3rd, soon in rear, weakened 14th, tailed off 6 out, pulled up after 3 out
led, took keen hold, headed before 5th, lost place before halfway, driven before 6 out, soon beaten, modest 4th
chased leaders, took closer order halfway, led 6 out, pressed 2 out, headed last, hard driven, kept on
keen, prominent, led approaching 5th, headed 6 out, weakened 3 out, blundered next, modest 3rd
NonRunner
Virak won hunter chases at Ludlow and Haydock last season and has won three times between the flags this year. In Arrears has also been in good form in points, though at a lower level. Queen Olivia was second to the useful Road To Rome at Ludlow last month but has not built on that. Flaming Charmer won a Chepstow handicap in November for former connections but has always been best at distances short of 3m. SILVERGROVE was soon left behind by Sir Jack Yeats at Fakenham but was heavily eased in the closing stages and will strip fitter today. Alex Chadwick’s mount can win this if recapturing his best form.
Virak (FR) 4-6fav (12-1) A.p; led aft 12; drew clr 2 out; easy, won at Charlton Horethorne 3m gs in Mar beating Herbert Park (11-2) by 4l, 9 ran.
Irish Thistle (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders on inside, weakened 11th, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Double Ross (11-9) at Chepstow 3m (6) gs in Mar.
Silvergrove 10-1 (11-12) Led, headed 6th, chased winner, outpaced from 4 out, heavily eased after jumping last, 2nd of 7, 30l behind Sir Jack Yeats (12-6) at Fakenham 3m (5) gs in Mar.
Queen Olivia 2-1 (11-0) (h) in tch til wknd 12; pu 14, at Parham 3m gs in Mar.
In Arrears (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Made all, clear 4 out, unchallenged, won at Exeter 3m (6) sft in Mar beating Kit Barry (11-10) by 22l, 5 ran.
Flaming Charmer (IRE) 22-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, under pressure 5 out, weakened 3 out, 8th of 10, dist behind Reikers Island (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
