pulled hard early stages and soon tracking leaders, drifted right and weakened before 2 out
tracked leader until 1st, in touch on outside, reminder after 3rd, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders on inside, ridden briefly after 5th, outpaced before 2 out, well held 3rd after
led, not fluent 1st, headed 2 out, still every chance flat, held close home
tracked leader from 1st, challenged 3rd, mistake 3 out, led next, slow last, driven and pressed flat, in command towards finish
OLEG finished third at Pau in France on his hurdling debut in December. Subsequently gelded and switched to Paul Nichols’ yard, he can open his account in this company. Point-to-point winner Pogue made a promising start over hurdles when third at Bangor and should go close with normal progress but bumper winner Not The Chablis failed to show much improvement last time though this faster ground may help his cause. The remainder have shown little so far and are harder to recommend.
Crumbs 25-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, 7th of 10, 27l behind Ribble Valley (11-12) at Ayr 2m (5) gs in Jan.
Get Help (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Twrds rr, 8th 1/2way, wknd qckly to rr & pu normal 4out, at Tattersalls Farm 3m mdn sft in Dec.
Mymilan (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, lost place before 5 out, 14th of 15, dist behind Rouge Vif (11-11) at Newcastle 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Not The Chablis (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Held up off the pace in mid-division, not fluent and jumped big 4 out, pushed along and no headway before next, 6th of 12, 18 3/4l behind Whoshotthesheriff (11-5) at Ayr 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Pogue (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) In touch, headway 5th, tracked leaders 4 out, ridden to lead briefly approaching 2 out, one pace and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 12, 10 1/2l behind Finawn Bawn (10-12) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Oleg (GER) (10-5) 2nd of 10, 3l behind Here He Comes (10-5) at Pau 2m 1f hvy in Dec.
