Morning Vicar can only improve on his third at Newbury, where he held every chance approaching the last until outpaced by the first pair. Talktomenow disappointed at Warwick but an earlier second at Plumpton reads well and Bold Plan has placed at Newbury and Southwell since going hurdling. Est Illic and Lord Du Mesnil are also respected in a strong maiden for the track but DIOMEDE DES MOTTES has been acquitting himself well in decent company. He would have finished closer at Newbury last time but for a blunder at the last and probably has the best form on offer.
Boldmere 100-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, hit 7th, ridden before 2 out, weakened flat, 6th of 17, 13 3/4l behind Birchdale (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Bold Plan (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Tracked winner, ridden and well held before last, lost 2nd place post, 3rd of 13, 10 1/4l behind Rouge Vif (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Diomede Des Mottes (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 4 out, left 3rd 2 out, hung left between last 2, weakened before blundered at the last, 3rd of 13, 9 3/4l behind Tidal Flow (11-4) at Newbury 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Est Illic (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, went 2nd after next, hung left, kept on well, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Clarendon Street (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 5f mdn (5) gs in Jan.
Golden Sovereign (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) In touch in mid-division, ridden and no impression on leaders before 3 out, went modest 3rd flat, 3rd of 14, 26 1/4l behind Captain Drake (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Dec.
Italian River 125-1 (11-0) In rear, struggling 6th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next, at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Lord Du Mesnil (FR) 14-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 7th, not fluent 3 out, weakened before last, 9th of 14, 32 1/4l behind Aux Ptits Soins (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Morning Vicar (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Shade keen, chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, lost 2nd at the last, weakened run-in, 3rd of 12, 14 3/4l behind Kateson (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f (3) sft in Nov.
Pride Of Lecale 12-1 (11-4) Chased leaders on outside, pushed along before 3 out, weakened between last 2, 6th of 18, 28 1/4l behind Greaneteen (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Rizzardo 100-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led before 3rd, headed before 4 out, led again 3 out, headed approaching last, no extra flat, 5th of 11, 9 1/4l behind Smackwater Jack (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Talktomenow 4-1 (11-0) Prominent, led when not fluent 3rd, headed 6th, led next until 4 out, soon weakened, 11th of 17, dist behind Birchdale (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Mahari (IRE) 8-11fav (11-2) Chased leaders, pulled up after 3rd, at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gs in Mar.
