soon behind
held up, ridden 9th, soon dropped rear, lost touch and pulled up 5 out
held up, ridden 8th, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out
led, ridden when weakening and headed 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 5 out
held up, headway 5 out, led 2 out, clear last
with leader, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, headway 7th, weakened 4 out
Not a great race for the money which means that Kalca Mome has live claims despite giving weight away all round but we'll side with Nadover who's unbeaten over course and distance. Kalca Mome finished second in last year's renewal from a 2lb lower mark but there's nothing with the progressive profile of the winner, Nozic, in this field. Nozic's stable is represented by Oscar D'Angron who couldn't be backed on the form that he's shown since arriving from France. Lord Jay Jay has his first run for Alison Thorpe and the market should be revealing, Loulou Nivernais may be revitalised by reverting to chasing, Bring Me Sunshine ran a better race last time but has a bit to prove whilst Its Crucial would ideally prefer further but has been in good form of late. Cases can be made for them but none are solid whereas Nadover has plenty in his favour. He's in form, proven on the ground and over course and distance and his yard is going well so the only question mark is to whether he's able to win from his revised mark. We'll take that chance and back Nadover to win this prize.
Kalca Mome (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Held up behind leaders, ridden after 10th, one pace from 3 out, 5th of 8, 12l behind Vinmix De Bessy (10-2) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft.
Nadover (FR) 6-1 (11-11) With leader, took keen hold, left in lead 10th, headed 12th, weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Regal Heights (11-12) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Jan.
Loulou Nivernais (FR) 11-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 14, 22l behind Deep Reflection (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Lord Jay Jay (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Made most until headed 14th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Yardbird (10-13) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec, 14 ran.
Oscar D'angron (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Chased leader, led after 1st to 4th, mistake 5th, led approaching 8th, mistake and headed 9th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 8, 33l behind Classic Fiddle (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
Bring Me Sunshine (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) In touch, headway after 10th, effort after 4 out, beaten next, 4th of 9, 14l behind The Hairy Lemon (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Its Crucial (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, led 11th, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra when headed final 75 yards, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Ballyfoy (10-13) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Master d'Or (FR) 6-1 (11-5) Mid-division, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 22l behind Jungleland (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.
