took keen hold, tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened next, eased
tended to jump right, made all, set very slow pace, increased tempo before 5th, in command from 2 out, ridden out
tracked winner, shaken up after 4 out, driven and held from 2 out, kept on flat
NonRunner
Happy Diva deservedly got off the mark over fences at Ludlow last month and makes more appeal than The Nipper. Warren Greatrex’ mare has a double penalty and was a lucky winner at Exeter in December before winning a match when outsider at Wincanton last month. RONS DREAM jumped much better at Chepstow than she had on her only previous try over fences. She has a higher hurdles rating than the two previous winners in this so has to be the selection.
The Nipper (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 33l behind Maria's Benefit (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 1f (1) sft in Jan.
Happy Diva (IRE) 11-10fav (11-0) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 10th until 13th, 2nd again going well 4 out, led next, clear 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Ludlow 2m 4f (3) gs in Jan beating Midnight Target (11-0) by 9l, 4 ran.
Rons Dream 7-4 (10-5) Raced wide, led after 2nd until 4th, chased leader, led again 9th until after 12th, in front again 5 out until approaching 3 out, one pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Ramses De Teillee (11-4) at Chepstow 3m (3) hvy in Jan.
Over To Midnight 33-1 (10-12) Led until 5th, led next, headed 3 out, weakened after next, 6th of 10, 34l behind Carole's Vigilante (11-5) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Passing Fiesta 50-1 (10-0) In rear, pushed along and in touch 7th, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Tara Well (10-13) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
