prominent, chased leader 3 out, challenged approaching 2 out, soon ridden, led 2 out, all out flat, just held on
led to approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, hard ridden and ran on well final half furlong, just failed
mid-division, ridden and headway when blundered 2 out, no chance after
held up, mistake 1st and 2nd, ridden and outpaced 2 out, stayed on flat
chased leader, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, not quicken
held up last, headway after 3 out, ridden 2 out, weakened last
held up, ridden and headway 2 out, challenged approaching last, one pace flat
prominent, ridden 2 out, every chance last, hard ridden flat, just failed
There are reservations about the form of Victor Dartnall's yard but DASTARDLY DICK is fancied to complete his hat-trick at the main expense of Stradbrook and Black Jacari. Victor Dartnall was forced to close his yard in an attempt to revive the stable's fortunes and has only had two runners since opening up for business. Lodge Lane was disappointing at Kempton but Jokers Legacy appeared to run up to form at Taunton and Dastardly Dick is taken to get the yard's season back on track. He was awarded the race in the stewards' room at Exeter and only prevailed narrowly over this course and distance prior to that but the form appears rock solid and his initial mark fair. Tender Falcon has claims of reversing form with White On Black if handling the ground but the winner has won well from similar marks in the past and could rank higher if he's truly reformed. Black Jacari has finished runner-up in all four starts over hurdles which is a shade offputting but he could make good use of his weight-for-age allowance. Cursum Perficio looked useful when winning first time up last year so is considered despite his reappearance but Simply Blue needs to learn to settle. Stradbrook wasn't beaten far at Cheltenham when reported to have returned lame and he had been progressing along the right lines prior to that run. He should go well again but could struggle to concede weight to a peak form Dastardly Dick.
Stradbrook (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Mid-division, steady headway 2 out, ridden to chase leaders last, weakened flat, 4th of 17, 7l behind Culcabock (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Tender Falcon 9-2 (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, every chance approaching last, hit last, not quickened flat, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind White On Black (10-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Cursum Perficio 25-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, led after 1st, hit 3rd, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened, 8th of 9, 21l behind Dave's Dream (11-5) at Newbury 2m hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Simply Blue 66-1 (11-0) Led, clear 4th, reduced lead when blundered next, headed 3 out, weakened quickly before next, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Micheal Flips (11-8) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Darstardly Dick (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, disputed 2nd 4th, took narrow advantage 2 out, bumped approaching last, headed flat, kept on, finished 2nd (awarded race), 2nd of 10, hd behind Glenwood Knight (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec. Later aw.
White On Black (GER) 16-1 (10-1) Held up, headway on outside approaching 2 out, led 2 out, ridden out, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs beating Sangfroid (10-10) by 2l, 11 ran.
Black Jacari (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Always prominent, took keen hold, not fluent 3 out, challenging when not fluent 2 out, edged right, no extra flat, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Stow (10-9) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Oiseau de Nuit (FR) 15-8fav (11-5) In touch, headway 6th, ridden 4 out, blundered 3 out, not recover, 7th of 10, 38l behind Lorient Express (11-4) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
