mid-division, headway 8th, ridden to join leader 2 out, weakened approaching last
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 10th, behind and pulled up last
tracked leaders, chased leader approaching 6th, led next, hit 3 out, soon headed, rallied approaching last, kept on flat
led, hit and headed 7th, outpaced after 3 out, headway to lead approaching last soon headed and stayed on
chased leader until 6th, ridden next, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up last
in rear, headway 9th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway to chase leader 10th, ridden and led soon after 3rd last, headed approaching last, soon weakened
in rear, ridden 3rd, slow next, tailed off 6th, pulled up 9th
close up, ridden 6th, outpaced after next, driven and headway after 2 out, led last, ridden out
always in rear, reminders after 4th, hit 6th, tailed off, pulled up last
More 'P's' than a Penguin commercial in the form figures here, however we will tentatively side with Nudge And Nurdle here ahead of Come Bye and Hot Lips Page. The selection romped to victory at Kempton a week ago and if in the same frame of mind today, he should be able to defy his 7lb penalty for that victory. He was ridden more patiently on that occasion, and more importantly he jumped with more fluency than previously. The step back up in trip today shouldn't pose a problem, and he must hold leading claims. The main danger could be Come Bye who romped to victory last time out under today's jockey, and with confidence restored he could be a threat. Significantly though, that last win was in a selling contest and he would need to improve further to trouble the judge today. New Perk warrants respect as a course and distance winner, and with his mark slowly slipping down, he certainly has place claims. Hot Lips Page is of interest based on his good second last time out, however he steps up further in trip today and it doesn't seem certain to suit. Ultimately we will return to Nudge And Nurdle to land the spoils.
Lease Back (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, ridden 7th, soon weakened, beaten when pulled up 2 out in race won by Celtic Major (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Come Bye (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (11-8) Pressed leader, led 6th, drew well clear, easily, won at Folkestone 2m 6f sll hdl (5) sft in Jan beating Madison Avenue (11-6) by 23l, 8 ran.
Nudge And Nurdle (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway from 5th, led 3 out, stayed on strongly, hit last, comfortably, won at Kempton 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs beating Supreme Copper (11-11) by 19l, 14 ran.
Wicked Nice Fella (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, jumped slowly 3rd, lost place 5th, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Maletton (11-12) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan, 9 ran.
Major Euro (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Mid-division, weakening when mistake 10th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Mokum (10-8) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec, 13 ran.
Delightful Cliche 13-2 (11-0) In touch, went 3rd at the 11th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 14, well behind Minella Tipperary (11-6) at Ascot 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Hot Lips Page (FR) 12-1 (10-9) In touch, lost place 4th, headway 3 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Albertas Run (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Shingle Street (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Towards rear, mistake 3rd, weakened 4 out, 6th of 10, well behind City of Manchester (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f sll hdl (5) hvy in Nov.
New Perk (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) In touch, headway 8th, stayed on approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Maletton (11-12) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Good Potential (IRE) 7-2fav (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden to chase clear leader 6th until weakened quickly 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 11, well behind Roman Rampage (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 6f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
