prominent, challenge when blundered 4 out, kept on from last
held up mid-division, jumped slow 6th, soon pushed along, weakened 5 out
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced approaching 5 out
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 5 out
led until headed after 6 out, chased leader, weakened 3 out
always behind, weakened from 7th, tailed off from 10th
held up, weakened from 9th, tailed off from next
with leaders, led after 6 out, headed last, kept on
held up in touch, weakened 5 out
held up in touch, some headway when blundered 5 out, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden next, led last, kept on
held up, hit 8th, weakened approaching 5 out
We will take a chance on Orsus here, who is selected ahead of Bravo Villa and Magnesium. Basically, the selection is a promising French winner that may well have got into this handicap on a very fair mark. The betting should help to guide us further. Bravo Villa comes here seeking a three-timer, and a four-pounds rise for his Chepstow win ought not to be enough to stop Matt Sheppard's tough gelding running well. Of the others, Magnesium is rated three pounds below a hurdling winning mark, although he lacks jumping experience, Shaka's Pearl looked to take to fencing at Towcester last time, the drop in trip should suit Viciana better than last time, Olival is a novice hurdle winner that should be able to build on his chasing debut, but Obelix de Longechaux will need to build on his British chasing efforts to date. As mentioned, the betting should tell us more but, without the benefit of that, we will side with Orsus.
Lazerito (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) In touch, led after 7th, headed after 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Always Waining (11-2) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Apr, 13 ran.
Master d'Or (FR) 9-2 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway 10th, chased winner from 5 out, every chance 3 out, kept on after last, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Hiers De Brouage (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.
Magnesium (USA) 9-2 (11-11) Led after 2nd, made rest, strongly pressed from 2 out, went left last, stayed on gamely flat, won at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) sft beating Cottingham (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Wizard of Edge 3-1 (11-2) Chased leader, ridden after 9th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 5, 12l behind Jurado Express (11-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Brave Villa (FR) 15-8fav (12-2) Made all, mistake 4 out, ridden approaching last, ran on gamely, won at Chepstow 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Nov beating Island of Memories (11-6) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Shaka's Pearl 7-2 (11-11) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, stayed on flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Schoolhouse Walk (9-11) at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in May.
Viciana 7-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, reminders 9th, weakened from 12th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Jungle Jinks (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
Jack Fuller (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Towards rear, headway 5th to go in touch, mistake next, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 10, 16l behind The Newsman (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Apr.
Orsus (FR) (10-12) Never dangerous, 6th of 13, 21l behind Opium Du Bois (10-8) at Auteuil 2m 2f chs in Sept.
Olival (FR) 5-1 (11-4) With leader, ridden and every chance 3 out, upsides when blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 22l behind Liberty Ben (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Obelix De Longechaux (FR) 12-1 (10-6) Held up, went 3rd at the 7th, no chance from 4 out, 3rd of 5, 34l behind Pablo Du Charmil (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Just Muckin Around (IRE) 4-1 (9-13) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Jolly Boy (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
