led hit 6th, fell heavily next
tracked leading pair, brought down 7th
never that fluent, soon well off the pace in 4th place, outpaced 5th, left modest 2nd and slightly hampered 7th, never any chance with winner
tracking leader when left in clear lead 7th, shaken up 2 out, heavily eased run-in
LAKE FIELD (NAP) jumped well and could be called the winner a long from home at Newbury last week. As that was a conditionals’ race, Kim Bailey’s unexposed chaser has no penalty and will be a short price to follow up. Last month’s course winner Middlebrow may not be suited by the drop back in trip while Manwell is struggling to get his head in front off his current mark. Ramonex is improving with experience, however, and he holds Valgor Du Ronceray on the form book.
Valgor Du Ronceray (FR) 18-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 9th, headed 10th, blundered next and soon lost place, rallied before 3 out, one pace and no impression, 4th of 5, 13 1/4l behind Divine Spear (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov.
Middlebrow (IRE) 13-2 (11-13) Tracked leader, led 3 out and blundered, kept on well run-in, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Nov beating Oak Vintage (11-1) by 10l, 8 ran.
Manwell (IRE) 4-1 (12-7) Keen, held up, ridden and headway 2 out, hung left when pressing winner next, no extra run in, 2nd of 5, 3 3/4l behind Knocknamona (11-6) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Lake Field (IRE) 7-2 (10-10) Tracked leader until 3rd (water), remained handy, 2nd again 9th, led 4 out, clear when pecked next, easily, won at Newbury 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Red Riverman (11-11) by 18l, 8 ran.
Ramonex (GER) 20-1 (11-2) Led to 9th, led again 10th, headed before 2 out, no extra and lost 2nd place after last, 3rd of 5, 5 1/4l behind Divine Spear (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov.
