made all, shaken up before 2 out, ridden and stayed on well flat
took keen hold, prominent, lost place 8th, well beaten before 2 out
prominent on outside, not fluent 3rd, outpaced after 3 out, weakened before last
prominent, lost place 2nd, not fluent next, went 3rd 2 out, no impression, one pace
prominent, ridden and rider dropped rein flat, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace
in rear, not fluent 6th, some headway 3 out, weakened next
Nigel Twiston-Davies is responsible for three of the six runners in this, though it’s difficult to make a case for the filly Maria Francesca. MOSSY FEN did well to beat a subsequent winner at Worcester as he was a shade keen in the early stages. On that evidence, a drop back in distance won’t be a problem and he can defy a penalty. Jelski heads in the opposite direction having made a his hurdling debut over 2m1f at Carlisle and he’s preferred to another Carlisle runner-up Champagne Noir, who also runs in the Trevor Hemmings colours. Cubao has looked useful in bumpers while Keep Wondering’s points victory at Liscarroll is working out well.
Mossy Fen (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Raced keenly, tracked leader after 2nd until before 8th, challenged on inside going well 3 out, led last, came easily clear run-in, won at Worcester 2m 7f (4) gs in Oct beating Dolphin Square (11-12) by 5l, 6 ran.
Champagne Noir (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Disputed lead until led 4th, headed after 6th, led again after 3 out, headed before last, not pace of winner, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Overthetop (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) gs in Oct.
Cubao (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Chased leaders on inside, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Make Me A Believer (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Jelski (GER) 5-4fav (10-12) Prominent, slow 5th, effort when hung right 2 out, stayed on under pressure closing stages, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Methodtothemadness (10-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Oct.
Keep Wondering (IRE) 6-1 (12-2) Mid-div, 6th frm 7th, prog in 5th bef 2out, ld aftr 2out, went 8l clr bef last, easily, won at Liscarroll 3m mdn gs in Mar beating Barrowlands (12-2) by 8l, 13 ran.
Maria Francesca (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Mid-division, not fluent, took keen hold, well beaten 3 out, 11th of 14, dist behind Floressa (10-10) at Worcester 2m (4) gs in Oct.
