TEAFORTHREE got involved in a battle for the lead in the Feltham at Kempton on Boxing Day and it's no surprise he paid the price in the latter stages. Rebecca Curtis has given her novice plenty of time to get over those exertions and he looks favoured by the weights here. French import Halley may be the danger as he should be acclimatised now after three runs in this country and Tom George has brought over David Cottin, who partnered him to success in a Grade 1 at Auteuil in November, to ride. Crescent Island may be the best of the remaining trio as neither Hell's Bay nor Royal Charm have shown a great deal so far this term.
Crescent Island (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Reluctant and reminders soon after start, dropped to rear before 1st, pulled up after next, in a race won by According To Pete (11-2) at Haydock 3m hcp chs G2 (1) hvy in Jan, 11 ran.
Hell's Bay (FR) 12-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, hit 8th, chased winner when mistake 4 out, lost place next, weakened 2 out, 9th of 10, well behind The Giant Bolster (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Jan.
Royal Charm (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 7th, behind and struggling 3 out, 7th of 10, 22l behind Smad Place (11-9) at Ascot 2m 3f Ltd hcp hdl (1) gs in Jan.
Teaforthree (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) With leader and clear to 10th, mistake 8th, lost place 13th, behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Grands Crus (11-7) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec, 6 ran.
Halley (FR) 2-1fav (11-3) Hit 1st, with leader, led narrowly 3rd, ridden after 5 out, hard pressed next, wandered after 3 out, headed when went left and mistake next, soon weakened, 2nd of 6, 17l behind Giorgio Quercus (11-7) at Haydock 2m 5f grd chs (5yo+) (2) hvy in Jan.
