tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd after 3 out, ridden and no impression next, kept on run-in
towards rear, 7th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along in 5th next, no extra approaching last
tracked leaders, ran freely, led 2nd, headed before 6th, no impression in 5th entering straight, slight mistake 2 out, weakened
chased leaders, 6th halfway, 4th entering straight and pushed along 2 out, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace
always towards rear, never a factor, 8th halfway, no extra in 7th after 3 out, soon eased
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, went 2nd 3 out and ridden after next, mistake last, kept on one pace run-in
led, headed 2nd, chased leaders in 5th halfway, slight mistake 4 out and dropped to rear before next, no extra, eased, completely tailed off
tracked leader, led before 6th, slight mistake 3 out, ridden after 2 out, under pressure and kept on run-in
Value At Risk fell in both starts over fences but has gradually got his confidence back and was conceding plenty of weight when runner-up in a Huntingdon handicap. Dedigout won this last year and though well beaten on his only subsequent start last month he won't have enjoyed the heavy ground and this is more his surface. He's a very smart performer who will be difficult to beat. Taglietelle ran a cracking race when a close fourth in the Petermps Final at Cheltenham where he was conceding weight to the trio who finished in front of him so he should make a bold bid. GWENCILY BERBAS doesn't have the experience of some of these but looked a very progressive performer when landing a Grade 3 at Naas in November. He wasn't beaten far behind Arctic Fire here in November, when Taglietelle was just behind, and gets the nod in an interesting contest.
Dedigout (IRE) 10-11fav (11-8) Mainly 2nd early, disputed 2nd from 7th, challenged 3 out, soon disputed, ridden in 2nd 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on one pace, last of 3, 13 3/4l behind Snow Falcon (11-3) at Navan 2m 5f (1) hvy in Feb.
Plinth (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) Held up in rear early, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened, last of 5, dist behind Faugheen (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Gwencily Berbas (FR) 9-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, progress to challenge entering straight, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, disputed briefly after 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 4 3/4l behind Arctic Fire (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
Sort It Out (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, weakened 3 out, 14th of 21, 33 3/4l behind Jolly's Cracked It (11-3) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Taglietelle 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, chased leaders on inside next, stayed on to challenge when carried left last and again flat, kept pressing for 2nd until no extra in 4th near finish, 4th of 24, 2 1/4l behind Mall Dini (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Mar.
Marchese Marconi (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up in moderate 4th/5th, nudged along briefly after 3 out, closer 5th when steadied approaching 2 out and mistake, soon poor 5th, kept on steadily under hands and heeld run-in, 4th of 6, 9 1/2l behind Alisier D'irlande (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 1f sft in Feb.
Sheamus (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, wandered around briefly approaching 3rd, 4th 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, last of 9, dist behind Great Field (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 2f sft in Feb.
Value At Risk 9-2 (11-6) Led, not fluent and headed 2 out, soon driven, stayed on, no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Baoulet Delaroque (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Feb.
