Verdict
Persian Snow's run at Ludlow was too bad to be true and a better effort is expected here. Winning pointer Master Of The Game is also better than he showed at Cheltenham last month but this looks a tall order for previous winners Moorlands Jack and Moorland Sunset under a penalty and Special Robon hasn't been seen since landing a minor contest in the French provinces for Guillaume Macaire last July. BOLD CHIEF travelled like the winner at Fontwell on his hurdling debut but didn't quite get home in the soft ground. That run will have taught him plenty and Paul Nicholls' gelding can go one better today.
Formwatch
Moorlands Jack 66-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, lost place before 6th, behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Nelson's Bridge (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Moorland Sunset 7-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 13, 40l behind Black Thunder (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Special Robon (FR) (10-12) won at Vittel(FR) 2m hdl gs in Jun, 14 ran.
Bold Chief (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 8th, went 2nd after 3 out, every chance when mistake last, held towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1l behind What Er Say (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Count Vettori (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden and no impression before 2 out, 9th of 18, 27l behind Waterunder (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Favoured Nation (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leader until approaching 4th where badly hampered and lost place, behind and eased, tailed off, not recover, 8th of 10, 30l behind Ile De Re (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Forresters Folly 66-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous, tailed off, 5th of 10, well behind The Druids Nephew (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Jan.
Hoare Abbey (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Behind, pushed along after 3 out, headway into mid-division before next, never near leaders, 7th of 14, 21l behind Molotof (10-12) at Wincanton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gs in Nov.
Inspector Qics 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, never a factor, tailed off, 9th of 16, well behind Carrigmorna King (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Jasperito 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, 9th of 16, 49l behind Valid Reason (11-5) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Keep Kicking (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, weakened from 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Oscar Nominee (11-2) at Southwell 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Master Of The Game (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Mid-division when not fluent 1st, mistake 5th, headway on outside 7th, went 2nd after 2 out until approaching last, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 26l behind Barbatos (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Oscar's Secret (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced after 4 out, stayed on approaching last, never on terms, 5th of 16, 14l behind Hit The Headlines (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Persian Snow (IRE) 8-11fav (11-6) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden and beaten, eased, stumbled badly 2 out, 12th of 15, well behind Zahirah Moon (10-13) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Sharpshooter (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Held up well in rear, reminder approaching 3rd, always behind, 10th of 15, 41l behind Jump City (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
The Omen 200-1 (10-10) Mid-division, outpaced 7th, soon weakened, well behind when hit last, 11th of 13, well behind Black Thunder (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Native Breeze (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 3rd, lost place approaching 3 out, 6th of 12, 42l behind Lights Of Broadway (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f mares NH nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Pyleigh Lass 15-8fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, jumped slowly 1st, not fluent and headway 3rd, mistake 5th, outpaced by leaders approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace last, 4th of 12, 12l behind Lights Of Broadway (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f mares NH nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
