in rear when fell 3rd
held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, under pressure next, never able to challenge
tracked leader, driven to challenge 2 out, soon hard driven, stayed on same pace
pulled hard, made all, hard ridden after 2 out, kept on under pressure
tracked leader, lost place 4th, soon in touch, mistake 6th, headway 4 out, weakened next, mistake last
always in rear, hampered 3rd, never jumped well, fell last
Lord Singer is entitled to consideration judged on his second at Sandown behind Pepe Simo back in November but his failure to complete in two starts since tempers enthusiasm. ENFANT DE LUNE is taking his time to win over fences and found the progressive Lease Lend too hot to handle when sent off favourite at Wetherby last time. Alan King's charge meets nothing of that calibre here and gets the vote. A winner over hurdles, J'Adhere was quietly fancied on his chasing bow at Sedgefield but never threatened and better is expected with winning partner Richard Johnson back in the saddle.
Vinmix De Bessy (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, some headway 11f out, weakened over 3f out, 11th of 12, 39l behind Free World (11-0) at Kempton 2m Nat Hunt Flat (5yo+) (AWT) (4) std in Dec.
Prince Des Marais (FR) 22-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, dropped to last approaching 6th, behind next, tailed off, 4th of 6, 48l behind Call Me A Legend (11-4) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Enfant De Lune (FR) 5-2fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out, left poor 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 22l behind Lease Lend (11-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Lord Singer (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Pulled hard, led until 3rd, tracked winner, hit 7th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Cadoudalas (11-5) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) hvy, 9 ran.
Marc Aurele (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear on outside, behind 7th, headway approaching 4 out, no impression, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 30l behind Anquetta (11-7) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
J'Adhere (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear and keen, headway 7th to go in touch, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 6, 14l behind Cranky Corner (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Johnny Mullen (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Behind, under pressure when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 15th of 16, well behind Ski Sunday (11-11) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
