French Ties' recent improved efforts have come over the marathon 3m4f trip at Sedgefield and, while he should go well again, he may find NORMALLY too good. The latter returned from a lengthy absence with a good third over 3m at Taunton recently and has been placed in testing ground before. That run should have blown any cobwebs away and John Flint's charge gets the nod. Queenstown Lad and Low Delta were a well beaten third and fourth respectively behind Molly Round last time, so Chouromanesco may be best of the rest in first-time blinkers.
Home She Goes (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, losing touch after 8th, behind from next, mistake 3 out, tailed off, 3rd of 4, well behind Evella (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f mrs nov chs (5yo+) (4) hvy in Jan.
French Ties (IRE) 11-4fav (10-6) Held up in rear, smooth headway on inner approaching 3 out, led on bit narrowly before 2 out, ridden after last headed last 100 yards, found nil, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Ontrack (10-1) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Little Frano (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, weakened quickly before 3 out, 7th of 10, well behind Our Island (11-0) at Ffos Las 3m mdn hdl (4) gs.
Normally 4-1fav (11-2) Close up, reminders and outpaced after 8th, soon pushed along, kept on approaching 2 out, took 3rd place close home, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Easement (11-9) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs.
Chouromanesco (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders before 4 out, one pace from 2 out, no impression, 6th of 11, 11l behind King Benny (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Jan.
Doctor Kilbride (IRE) 17-2 (10-6) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 5th, behind 8th, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Premier Des Marais (11-9) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Royaume Bleu (FR) 5-1 (10-6) Mid-division, struggling 8th, tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind Balustrade (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
Low Delta (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside approaching 3 out, soon hard driven, never on terms, 4th of 14, 31l behind Molly Round (10-7) at Towcester 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Queenstown Lad 9-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, jumped right 3rd, blundered 5 out, kept on under pressure, never able to challenge, 3rd of 14, 30l behind Molly Round (10-7) at Towcester 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Septos 25-1 (10-6) Soon pushed along in mid-division, weakened before 5 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Molly Round (10-7) at Towcester 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Ruby Queen (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, reminders before 6th, weakening when stumbled badly 3 out, last of 14, well behind Sea Cliff (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Jan.
Border Lad 16-1 (10-6) Towards rear, mistake 3rd, ridden before 2 out, no impression, 7th of 15, 17l behind Easement (11-9) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs.
Newgatehopeful 250-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway after 4th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Mic's Delight (11-8) at Leicester 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) hvy, 12 ran.
