tracked leaders, ridden 5th, dropped to rear next, struggling from 3 out, tailed off
keen set good pace, mistake 3rd, ridden and joined 2 out, soon headed kept on one pace
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 5th until ridden between 3 out and 2 out, weakened next
close up in rear, not fluent 5th, went 3rd went 3rd 4 out, joined leader 2 out, soon led, hit last, ran on
tracked leader until ridden 5th, struggling from 3 out, tailed off
VIRGINIA CHICK left previous form behind to land a gamble at Exeter a week ago and can shrug off a penalty in this given the ease of his win. Wazowski refused to settle early in the race at Hexham last time and faded in the closing stages having been placed at Carlisle before that. Princess Mononoke also placed at the same track back in March and is 7lb lower today but it’s difficult to make a case for either Verano or Passing Fiesta on their form to date.
Verano (GER) 150-1 (10-8) Always in rear, well beaten after 4 out, 9th of 12, dist behind Bastien (11-12) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Wazowski 9-2fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 2nd approaching 7th, led after 2 out, ridden and headed on long run before the last, soon weakened, 4th of 13, 17 3/4l behind Wig Wam Wiggle (10-10) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Princess Mononoke (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace, weakened over 1f out, (omitted last hurdle), 8th of 16, 15 1/4l behind Lucarno Dancer (10-3) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Virginia Chick (FR) 9-4fav (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 4th, challenged before 3 out, led next, clear last, very easily, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec beating Just Spot (10-12) by 8l, 10 ran.
Passing Fiesta 66-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 10th, soon weakened, pulled up before 5 out, at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
