mid-division, weakened after 4 out
tracked leaders, keen early, led 2 out, strongly challenged last, ran on well
prominent, hit 1st, led before 3 out, headed next, weakened last
behind, headway 2 out, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, stayed on well, never reached winner
mid-division, keen, headway to lead after 2nd, headed before 3 out, weakened quickly
led until after 2nd, chased leaders, every chance 2 out, weakened before last
in touch, headway 3 out, every chance from next until kept on same pace closing stages
mid-division, mistake 3 out, never on terms
keen in rear, never dangerous
Idee De Garde made a winning start in a bumper at Ayr back in January. He’s switched to Dan Skelton’s yard subsequently having undergone wind surgery and also wears a tongue-tie on his hurdling debut. But CHAMPAGNE PLATINUM has joined Nicky Henderson having been sold for £250,000 after winning a point-to-point at Quakerstown in Ireland. A half-brother to winners under Rules, he’ll likely prove a popular choice in this. Lough Derg Diamond faced a tough task making last week’s hurdling bow in Listed company at Haydock and should finish closer today but it’s difficult to make a case for any of the remainder on what little they have shown so far.
Arctic Road 20-1 (10-12) Always behind, pushed along approaching 3 out, soon struggling, 9th of 14, 30l behind Tokay Dokey (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Champagne Platinum (IRE) 2-1 (11-11) Chsd ldr, 2nd 1/2way, 2nd bef 2out, eff & pushed aft 2out, sn disp & prog to 1l adv bef bypassed last, kow, won at Quakerstown 3m mdn sft in Apr beating Zihuatanejo (11-11) by 6l, 5 ran.
Extra Bald (FR) 14-1 (10-10) Led until halfway, weakened quickly over 3f out, last of 11, dist behind Kitikat (10-10) at Southwell 2m (5) gd in May.
Getaway Gerry 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leader until over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 8, dist behind Ribble Valley (11-2) at Ayr 2m mdn (5) gd in Nov.
Idee De Garde (FR) 2-1fav (11-5) Towards rear, headway over 4f out, led over 2f out, pressed inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Ayr 2m (5) hvy in Jan beating Bluefortytwo (11-5) by 1l, 9 ran.
Le Gavroche (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up, not fluent 5th, ridden and weakened after next, last of 5, dist behind Absolutely Dylan (11-2) at Newcastle 2m (4) sft in Feb.
Little Bavington 40-1 (10-12) Led and set steady pace, pushed along 3f out, headed 2f out, soon bumped, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 18 3/4l behind Malystic (10-12) at Newcastle 2m (5) gd in Nov.
Lough Derg Diamond (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Held up in rear but in touch, not fluent 4th, outpaced next, detached when mistake 4 out, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Grand Sancy (11-0) at Haydock 2m lst (1) gd in Nov.
Oscar Wilde (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Mid-div, mstk 5th, 10th 5out, wknd 3out & pu bef last, at Loughanmore 3m mdn gs in May.
Rafferty (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, mistake 3rd, led after 4th, headed before 3 out, weakening when fell last, at Hexham 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Amberose 25-1 (10-12) In rear, pecked 4th, not fluent 6th, tailed off before 3 out, 6th of 7, 33 1/4l behind Sassy Diva (10-12) at Ayr 2m mdn (5) gd in Nov.
