tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on same pace
in rear and in touch, headway 4 out, weakened from 2 out
tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, kept on before 2 out, went 3rd before last
tracked leader, ridden to lead before last, kept on well
led, headed 3 out, weakened before last
BANDOL has won three of his five starts over fences and failed to finish in the other two. He's up 8lb for a comfortable victory in slightly lower grade at Sedgefield but it will be a surprise if he's not there at the finish and gets the vote. Sky Full Of Stars has yet to win over fences and took advantage of a much lower mark over hurdles at Ayr. He's well handicapped on that form but hasn't shown the same sparkle over the bigger obstacles. Minella Suite may well turn out to be better than this grade but begins his chasing career having to concede plenty of weight to in-form rivals ,which may just be beyond him. Frankie Ballou showed little in Ireland but made a fair start for new connections here early last month before finding heavy ground against him at Leicester. Paddling makes his chasing bow with little to recommend him over hurdles.
Minella Suite (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Always prominent, effort 3 out, upsides next, led narrowly between last 2, headed last, ridden and one pace flat, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Cafe Au Lait (10-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp (5) gs in Feb.
Paddling (FR) 200-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, never on terms, 8th of 9, dist behind Applaus (11-2) at Newcastle 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Bandol (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Prominent, led before last, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) hvy in Feb beating Duhallowcountry (10-9) by 6l, 6 ran.
Sky Full Of Stars (IRE) 9-4fav (10-8) Tracked leader, led before 4 out, clear before last, won at Ayr 2m hcp (5) hvy in Feb beating Spring Over (10-9) by 24l, 7 ran.
Frankie Ballou (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Jumped left, led, not fluent 1st, reminders 7th, headed next, weakening when mistake 4 out, pulled up before last, at Leicester 2m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
