Verdict

Colline De Fleurs, Countess Trifaldi and Gaelic Gift form the short-list for this heat although Sabreflight could conceivably improve for this longer trip. Jim Old's mare is selected. Her supporters will need to forgive a poor display at Chepstow in a race in which Countess Trifaldi finished a close second but she failed to give her running that day and is worth another chance. A heavy ground winner at this track over hurdles, she made a satisfactory start to her chasing career when just run out of it at Folkestone. She's bred for this game and has the ability to win a race of this nature. Countess Trifaldi has obvious claims following that Chepstow second whilst Gaelic Gift has picked up some useful experience in two races that were both won by Air Force One. This is more realistic and she could make her presence felt. Sabreflight never featured on her chase bow over 2 miles but, as a winner of a hurdle race over 2 miles 6, it's reasonable to expect improvement at this longer trip. She has a bit to find on the book though and we prefer Colline De Fleurs.

Formwatch

Classic Fair 25-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, joined leaders 9th, close up when fell 5 out in race won by Macmar (11-12) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan, 12 ran.

Colline de Fleurs 5-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, jumped left 7th, weakened quickly and pulled up 5 out in race won by Back On Line (11-6) at Chepstow 3m mrs nov chs (4) hvy in Jan, 8 ran.

Countess Trifaldi (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) In touch, outpaced 19th, kept on from 2 out, 5th of 19, 8l behind King Harald (11-8) at Doncaster 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd.

Gaelic Gift (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Towards rear, not fluent 9th, weakened 10th, tailed off, 3rd of 6, well behind Air Force One (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (3) sft in Jan.

Madam Harriet 80-1 (10-9) Led to 6th, soon outpaced, kept on again flat, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Souri Des Champs (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 4f mrs nov chs (3) sft.

Marvellous Dream (FR) 2-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, driven 8th, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Ruairi (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 5f mdn chs (4) gs in Jan, 7 ran.

Miss Doublet 25-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden 11th, effort 4 out, soon beaten, 6th of 17, 43l behind Dundridge Native (11-3) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Jan.

Sabreflight 8-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, behind when hampered 5 out, 7th of 11, 32l behind Zorro De La Vega (11-2) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.

Tacinja (GER) 25-1 (9-3) Always behind, 18th of 20, well behind Here Comes Sally (10-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-116 hvy in Jan.