jumped well throughout, made all, clear from halfway, unchallenged
close up when fell 8th
always in rear, ridden and weakened 13th, struggling and tailed off next, pulled up before 4 out
always in rear, ridden and weakened 13th, struggling and tailed off next
keen, close up, chased winner 9th, outpaced from 11th
jumped slow 2nd and 3rd, chased winner until 9th, outpaced from 11th
Be Telling would have won but for falling at the second-last on his most recent start, so we will side with him to make amends today at the main expense of Day Du Roy. The selection was 30 lengths clear when taking the aforementioned tumble at Huntingdon, so a 7lb rise in the weights may not prevent him making amends today. He showed that he handles this ground on his chase debut at Market Rasen and everything looks set for Mick Fitzgerald to partner him to victory today. Day Du Roy steps up to this trip for the first time, however after 44 runs it could be seen as an act of desperation. He goes on any ground so has place claims, as does Alfadora. It's still not clear which is his best trip, however he has shown more encouragement when over similar distances so could be able to exploit his low weight. Baron Blitzkrieg would be a threat if putting it all in, however he is another to prove his stamina. Lucy Wadham's Viciana would be very interesting if reproducing her form of a year ago, however she has been disappointing recently so cannot be truly fancied. This race looks set-up for Be Telling to make amends for last time, so he gets the confident vote.
Be Telling (IRE) 9-2fav (11-6) Led 2nd, clear 12th, well clear when fell 3 out in race won by King of Gothland (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
Viciana 15-2 (10-11) Held up, weakened from 9th, tailed off from next, 11th of 12, well behind Obelix De Longechaux (10-8) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Day du Roy (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Always prominent, ridden and every chance 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Baligrundle (10-7) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Baron Blitzkrieg 12-1 (10-2) Held up, behind from 10th, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Englishtown (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
Alfadora 9-1 (10-0) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 12th, mistake 13th, plugged on, 3rd of 10, 29l behind Milan Deux Mille (11-6) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Spider Boy 6-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway 9th, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 14, 21l behind Mighty Moose (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs (5) sft in Jan.
