First Flow came up against the progressive Espoir De Guye when placed at Ascot last time but had won a novices' chase over course and distance before that. He can figure again but GREANETEEN made a winning debut over fences in heavy going at Ascot last month and the third home has subsequently boosted the form by winning. Paul Nicholls’ charge gets the vote to defy a 6lb rise. Our Merlin beat the re-opposing Coole Well at Sedgefield though the latter may turn the tables on better terms today while Saint De Vassy finished second in a lower grade contest here last time when previous winner Le Coeur Net unseated.
First Flow (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Led, headed before 2 out, no chance with winner, weakened into 3rd at the last, 3rd of 12, 12 1/4l behind Espoir De Guye (10-11) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Greaneteen (FR) 3-1 (11-8) Keen close up, headway to lead 4 out, landed awkwardly 2 out, ridden out, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Debuchet (11-7) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Azzuri 25-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, lost touch 7th, tailed off 5 out, last of 5, dist behind Katpoli (11-3) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Our Merlin 9-2 (11-4) Towards rear, headway from before 4 out, about 4 lengths down in 2nd when left in lead 2 out, kept on well, won at Taunton 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Coole Well (11-2) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Coole Well (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Chased leader from 2nd, mistake 4th, lost 2nd 5th, mistake 3 out, 5th and weakening when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, at Sedgefield 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Saint De Vassy (FR) 4-1 (11-11) Disputed lead until chased winner 3 out, rallied last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Billingsley (11-8) at Hereford 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Le Coeur Net (FR) 8-1 (10-13) Close up, mistake 4 out, hampered next, weakening when unseated rider last, at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
