tracked leader, led 8th, ridden when headed, mistake last
led, headed 8th, soon ridden, hung left when under pressure on long run approaching last, weakened
in touch, ridden, weakened 3 out, virtually pulled up flat
held up, headway 7th, ridden approaching last, led, kept on
held up, behind from 6th
tracked leader, lost place 4th, tailed off 6th, continued
tracked leaders, mistake, lost place 5th, weakened next
The search for the winner starts and ends with Ommega with the recalcitrant Pangbourne and Stop The Show the likeliest beneficiaries of any mishaps. Francois Doumen's charge has won twice over fences but second is the best that he has managed in four starts over hurdles. He showed a decent level of form on his sole visit to these shores when chasing home Classified in a chase and he can enhance his trainer's decent record here. Pangbourne has plenty of ability but has yet to put his best foot forwards over hurdles and he is difficult to recommend with any confidence. On his best form he'd take all the beating but there's no guarantee that that will be produced. Stop The Show is progressing steadily but may be seen to better effect once handicapping and the claims of Ommega are preferred.
Ommega (FR) (10-10) Always prominent, disputing 2nd behind easy winner when fell in race won by Merger (10-6) at Enghien 2m 3f 5yo hdl gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Pangbourne (FR) 7-2 (11-2) With leader, led before 2nd, not fluent 3 out, soon headed and weakened, 3rd of 15, 25l behind Big Fella Thanks (11-7) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Sir Harry Cool 8-1 (11-7) Prominent, led approaching last; drew clear flat, won at Cottenham 2m 4f ptp gf in Dec beating Ryhope Chief (11-7) by 8l, 16 ran.
Stop The Show (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden after 4 out, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 16, 14l behind Bold Ransom (10-7) at Newcastle 3m nov hdl (3) sft.
Surely Keen Keen gelding out of 1m1f-1m4f winner Katie Jo.
Wee Alfie (IRE) 40-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, soon tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind La Estrella (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs.
Alfloratta 100-1 (11-0) Always behind, reminders after 3rd and 6th, lost touch 8th, tailed off when pulled up at the 9th in race won by Back On Line (11-6) at Chepstow 3m mrs nov chs (4) hvy, 8 ran.
Tobougg Welcome (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) In touch, weakened 5th, 10th of 13, 41l behind Chapoturgeon (11-0) at Lingfield 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) sft.
