in touch, ridden after 7th, weakened next
mid-division until weakened 7th
held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, led approaching last, soon ridden and headed, kept on, no extra close home
mid-division, ridden after 2 out, stayed on under pressure, went 3rd close home
mid-division, headway and hit 6th, tracked leaders after next, every chance approaching last, weakened flat
held up towards rear, headway 6th, hard ridden to lead after last, no extra when headed close home
in touch until 4th, soon behind
led, headed after 7th, blundered next, weakened
chased leaders, lost place approaching 2 out, switched to outer approaching last, stayed on strongly under pressure, led close home
chased leaders, losing place when hit 6th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division until weakened after 2 out
held up towards rear, headway after 7th, soon ridden, kept on same pace from last
mid-division until weakened after 2 out
in touch, headway 6th, ridden and every chance approaching last, one pace flat
chased leaders, hit 4th, led after 7th, ridden and headed approaching last, weakened flat
Despite returning from a long break, Meneur De Jeu is the pick ahead of the likes of Hereditary, Swift Sailor and Pearly Star to name but a few. David Pipe has decided to fit cheekpieces to the selection in the hope that they can help him to defy a 517-day absence, and as we know from past experience that the yard can get them fit, he is taken to bounce back under his lofty weight. The seven-year-old was last seen when beaten over hurdles at Worcester in August 2005, but although he will no doubt be going back over fences in due course, the fact that he remains well handicapped over the smaller obstacles at present suggests that connections will try to exploit the fact. There are plenty of dangers in this field, including Hereditary, despite his rise for scoring over track-and-trip in December. Swift Sailor ran out of steam at Newbury last time and will be better suited by the return to this track, while Pearly Star responded well to blinkers when gaining a cosy success in a conditionals' affair here a month ago, and is yet another to consider along with fellow course winner Jades Double. For the winner though, we return to Meneu De Jeu who can pay to follow as the season progresses.
Meneur De Jeu (FR) 13-8fav (11-5) Held up in touch, pushed along after 4th, struggling and no danger from next, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Aspra (10-5) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf in Aug '05.
Im A Witness (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on one pace, 7th of 13, 29l behind Abragante (11-3) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Brendar (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) In rear, not fluent 4th, ridden 5th, headway 4 out, chased leading pair 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 14, 20l behind From Dawn To Dusk (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Swift Sailor 5-2 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 5th, chased winner 2 out, mistake last, soon beaten, 4th of 12, 11l behind Cousin Nicky (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Nov.
Wenger (FR) 7-2 (11-4) In touch, headway 3 out, ridden and weakened before last, 4th of 10, 16l behind Vengeance (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Hereditary 5-1 (10-1) Held up, smooth headway after 6th to join leaders 3 out, led next, kept on well, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec beating Misbehaviour (11-7) by 8l, 8 ran.
Sintos 100-1 (10-11) Chased leaders until weakened after 8th, 9th of 16, 42l behind Barbers Shop (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Lady Maranzi 11-1 (10-9) Led, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 31l behind Negus de Beaumont (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
Pearly Star 16-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, led after 7th, quickened clear after 2 out, always in command after, won at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec beating Norton Sapphire (9-10) by 4l, 9 ran.
Coustou (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Ridden and lost touch 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, soon tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Brave Jo (10-0) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy.
Jades Double 4-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec beating Speed Winner (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Isle de Maurice 13-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, under pressure 6th, beaten when hit 2 out, 6th of 9, 23l behind Helm (11-6) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov.
Tabaran (FR) 13-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden 3 out, weakened soon after, 3rd of 11, 20l behind Hi Dancer (10-13) at Hereford 2m 1f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Shady Anne 22-1 (10-9) Prominent until stumbled badly on landing 5th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Tora Petcha (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
Laconicos (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) In touch, effort after 3 out, no impression, 4th of 11, 20l behind Wally Wonder (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
