prominent, headway and tracked winner after 7th, challenged and every chance from 2 out, soon ridden, ran on flat,, not pace of winner
held up in mid-division, ridden and lost touch after 6th, no impression
slowly into stride and always in rear, hit 6th and 7th, pulled up after 8th
chased winner, ridden after 5th, hit 7th and lost touch, pulled up before 2 out
made all, ridden 2 out, driven out and ran on under pressure from last
prominent, headway after 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on same pace from last
never better than mid-division, behind from 7th
Sovietica and Star Award have both shown ability and warrant respect but La Grande Villez has the pick of the form and is taken to give weight away all round. The selection, a French import, made a winning start to his British career when successful at Fontwell in November and has probably found the going too testing in two starts since then. Back on a faster surface, La Grande Villez is taken to resume winning ways on his first attempt over this far. Ilongue has shown only a modicum of ability, while One Dream has been pulled up in his last three starts and is best left out of calculations. Bumper winner Sovietica was still in with every chance before falling two out here in December and has to be considered along with Henrietta Knight's lightly raced Star Award. La Grande Villez has solid claims though and he gets the vote.
La Grande Villez (FR) 33-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2, 5th of 15, 15l behind Strawberry (11-3) at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) sft in Mar.
Ilongue (FR) 33-1 (10-0) In touch, ridden and lost place 5th, last of 12, well behind Sarin (11-2) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
One Dream (FR) 66-1 (10-7) In touch, hampered 4th, ridden 5th, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Apollo Lady (11-2) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 17 ran.
Proud Scholar (USA) 33-1 (10-12) Behind from 3rd, 10th of 15, well behind Mago Santhai (10-12) at Chepstow 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Sovietica (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Held up behind, some headway 7th, ridden before 3 out, stayed on, 8th of 18, 32l behind Karello Bay (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Star Award (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 14th of 18, well behind Karello Bay (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Kal 100-1 (9-9) Always towards rear, 9th of 13, 28l behind Share My Dream (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f nov sll hdl (5) gs in Mar.
