held up, ridden in close 4th approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, went 3rd towards finish
tracked leaders, mistake 7th, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
led, ridden after last, headed and no extra towards finish
fell 1st
chased leaders, ridden after 9th, weakened after 4 out
held up, headway 10th, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, hit last, no extra, lost 3rd towards finish
held up, steady headway after 11th, ridden to chase leader approaching 2 out, stayed on well to lead towards finish, ridden out
tracking leader when carried out by loose horse 4th
A tricky race to assess and we will take a chance with SOLEIL FIX, while Oracle Des Mottes and Double Dizzy are among others who can make their presence felt. The Nick Gifford-trained selection is not one to be lumping on after meeting with defeat on both his starts in November, since being put up to this mark. However, he acts very well here, with all four of his career wins coming at the track, and although he might be at his best on a sound surface he has won here on soft, so there are definitely reasons to be interested. This trip is ideal, his stable continues in decent form and we will suggest him. Oracle Des Mottes met with an 18lb hike as a result of back-to-back wins at Exeter and Wincanton in the autumn. Although anchored by the extra weight at Exeter again last time he was in no way disgraced and with conditions to suit he can go well. Double Dizzy has the champ on board for the second time in his career and his pilot will be hoping they finish closer to the action than they did at Cheltenham in the spring of last year. The gelding's form of late has been consistent in defeat but the handicapper is clearly reluctant to do him a favour and we will oppose. Nation State does not look quite as good over fences as he had over hurdles and in any case he would prefer better ground, while Muhtenbar is very hard to win with but might be good enough to take home some petrol money. Soleil Fix is the tentative pick.
Oracle des Mottes (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Held up, headway into 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, went 2nd last, soon edged left, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Buck The Legend (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Nov.
Double Dizzy 16-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 8th, ridden after 4 out, soon slightly outpaced, stayed on again from 2 out, 3rd of 16, 8l behind Saunders Road (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Soleil Fix (FR) 10-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, never really travelling, lost touch 10th, tailed off when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Alphabetical (11-9) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov, 9 ran.
Muhtenbar 20-1 (11-1) Led, ridden 3 out, hard ridden, headed approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Kia Kaha (11-1) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Nation State 9-1 (11-12) Mid-division, pushed along 8th, driven and struggling 10th, stayed on after 3 out, no danger, 4th of 12, 34l behind Lidjo De Rouge (10-8) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Idris (GER) 20-1 (10-12) Held up, not fluent 5th, blundered 11th, soon ridden, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 10, 48l behind Laskari (10-11) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Pretty Star (GER) 12-1 (11-4) Chased leader until 11th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Mistress Nell (10-7) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Present Oriented (USA) 16-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, lost place 9th, rallied 4 out, no impression from last, 4th of 7, 9l behind Hello It's Me (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chs (4) gd in May.
