Clyne simply came up against a better-treated and younger rival at Haydock but it’s a big ask for the 10-year-old to carry another big weight over 3m on heavy ground just eight days later. EXPLOITEUR is progressing nicely and deserves a crack at this higher level. He had Lilly Pinchin’s 5lb claim in his favour here at the start of the month and can run in snatches but neither conditions nor stamina will be an issue. Storm Arising had almost three lengths to spare over Farrants Way at Sandown but the latter is 2lb better off and will strip fitter today so may well turn the tables.
Clyne 5-1 (12-2) Chased leader, close up 7th, ridden before 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, joined last, headed flat, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Queenohearts (11-11) at Haydock 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Storm Arising (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Raced keenly chasing leaders, pushed along after 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, hard ridden run-in, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Portrush Ted (11-12) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Flashjack (IRE) 40-1 (10-8) Ridden handy, not fluent 1st, hit 8th, ridden after 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 17, 13 3/4l behind Main Fact (11-4) at Haydock 3m hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Boyhood (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Held up in mid-division, headway when not fluent 2 out, no impression, weakened before last, 9th of 12, 18 3/4l behind Come On Teddy (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Exploiteur (FR) 4-5fav (11-2) Held up in rear, smooth headway to press leader 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, soon ridden and led last, driven out run-in, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Gustavian (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Farrants Way (IRE) 4-1jfav (11-0) Mostly pressed leader, led 7th, mistake 4 out, jumped steeply next, narrowly headed 2 out, soon ridden and lost 2nd, no extra in 3rd between last 2, 3rd of 10, 3 1/4l behind Portrush Ted (11-12) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Virginia Chick (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, never involved, 8th of 11, dist behind Broken Quest (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
