raced wide, held up in 5th, outpaced 8th, behind next, struggling after, plugged on in modest 3rd run-in
led until 7th, chased leader until 2 out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened between last 2, mistake last
chased leader, led 7th, ridden and headed after 2 out, chased leaders, 3rd and no impression last, weakened run-in
held up in last pair, mistake 4th, outpaced 8th, rallied disputing close 2nd when pecked 2 out, 2nd again before the last, ridden to lead run-in, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, went 2nd 2 out, led soon after, ridden and headed before the last, stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner
bumped and stumbled 1st, chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up last, pushed along and struggling in 6th after 4 out, never a factor, pulled up before last
A solid renewal in which LAURINA's presence adds real spice. The Mullins inmate was pulled up the last day after bleeding but had impressed on her chasing bow and her class is there for all to see. This is a tough assignment against the geldings but she loves heavy ground, receives 7lb all round and will be hard to overcome if on her A game. Champagne Platinum has yet to shine this term and therefore Good Boy Bobby, a fine second at Cheltenham to Master Fisher latest, and Grand Sancy could emerge as the main dangers. The latter is especially intriguing as he steps up to this trip for the first time after a strong effort in the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase over Christmas. Itchy Feet is hard to assess after landing a three-runner contest on his sole chasing start, Midnight Shadow cannot be discounted and Vision Des Flos possibly needs to improve on what he's achieved over fences to date but could well do so.
Champagne Platinum (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Held up off the pace in last, awkward 5th, pushed along and outpaced 8th, kept on run-in, almost snatched never nearer 3rd, last of 4, 13 3/4l behind Moonlighter (11-5) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Good Boy Bobby (IRE) 9-4 (11-5) Jumped right at times, tracked leader, led 3rd, not fluent 8th or 12th, ridden before last, headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Mister Fisher (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) sft in Dec.
Grand Sancy (FR) 11-2 (11-2) Chased leading pair, going well enough approaching 3 out, mistake and outpaced next, plugged on into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Global Citizen (11-2) at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Itchy Feet (FR) 1-5fav (11-0) Jumped well, made all, clear 4 out, canter, won at Leicester 2m 4f (3) sft in Dec beating Leskinfere (11-0) by 26l, 3 ran.
Midnight Shadow 4-1 (11-0) Held up, closed 4th, went 2nd 10th, 4 lengths down when left in lead 2 out, jumped right last, 5 lengths clear and edged left flat, idled, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Jan beating Paint The Dream (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Vision Des Flos (FR) 1-4fav (10-12) Made all from sole rival, took off early at the 8th but got away with it, joined 4 out, clear after 3 out, comfortably, won at Chepstow 3m (3) hvy in Jan beating Royale Pagaille (10-12) by 9 1/2l, 2 ran.
Laurina (FR) 11-10fav (11-5) Waited with, soon 4th, slight mistake 1st, last when a little slow at 4th, mistake 7th, no impression approaching 2 out where not fluent, pulled up before last, at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
