chased leader, led 6th, left clear 3 out, unchallenged
led to 6th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, left 4, 2nd 3 out
held up last, went 2nd approaching 4 out, not fluent 4 out, fell 3 out
New Little Bric gets the confident vote here with Snoopy Loopy and Bohemian Boy rating the main dangers. The selection was a good third in a much better race behind Fair Along last time out, that looks easier and he need only run up to that mark to score. Snoopy Loopy rates the main danger on his latest third behind Yaboya, that form would have been franked if he had not fallen on his latest start and with her yard in form she will not be far away. Bohemian Boy is from a yard in top form, has conditions to suit and could improve for the switch to fences but the suspicion is he may just need the run after a 311-day absence. Of the remainder, Le Rochelais is becoming expensive to follow and for the winner we return to New Little Bric who is taken to win this before going on to better things.
New Little Bric (FR) 9-1 (11-8) Held up in 4th, chased leading pair 4 out, effort 3 out, no extra from next, 3rd of 5, 15l behind Fair Along (10-13) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft.
Bohemian Boy (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Raced wide, held up last, no impression, 5th of 6, 46l behind De Blanc (10-11) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov chs (3) gs in Feb.
Keswick (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Hampered 1st, always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Minella Tipperary (11-8) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov, 14 ran.
Flash Point (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, disputed lead after 7th, led briefly 9th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, well behind Classified (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) gs.
Le Rochelais (FR) 13-8fav (11-4) In touch, outpaced when hit 4 out, no impression from next, 4th of 8, 6l behind Orang Outan (10-4) at Southwell 2m mdn chs (4) gs.
Snoopy Loopy (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Blundered badly 1st, chased front pair, ridden after 4 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 6, well behind Yaboya (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
