held up in touch, chased leaders after 4 out, left in lead 3 out, clear approaching last, easily
with leader, led after 4 out, blundered badly and headed next, not recover, blundered next, pulled up soon after
tracked leaders and keen, hampered 2nd, led after 3rd, headed after 4 out, pushed along and outpaced approaching 3 out, kept on from next, just held on for 3rd
held up in rear, soon in touch, ridden after 3 out, kept on and no impression, just held for 3rd
raced keen and led after 1st, fell next
held up in rear, hampered 2nd, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression
led, headed after 1st, left in lead next, headed after 3rd, outpaced from 4 out, lost place from next
There have been six winning favourites in the last seven runnings so we need look no further than ME VOICI; Stars Du Granits and Diktalina rate the dangers. Nick Williams' gelding has progressed with every start and made giant strides from his second at Newbury to slamming a hotpot at Chepstow in the Finale Hurdle with Bocamix beaten over 11 lengths into third. He's been given plenty of time to recover and it's reasonable to expect further improvement from this nice prospect. Sang Bleu was back in second at Chepstow but he showed the benefit of that run when getting the better of Stars Du Granits at Huntingdon in a hardfought battle. Venetia Williams' runner is respected but was in receipt of 8lbs that day and has something to find. Diktalina could be more of a threat as she has improved in leaps and bounds and receives a handy 7lbs; on the weights she has plenty to find but she's been doing everything very easily and they may underestimate her. The yard is going well which is another tick for her chances and she's sure to be popular with McCoy in the plate but we're not in a rush to desert Me Voici.
Me Voici (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Took keen hold early, held up, headway approaching 3 out, second before 2 out, led before last, driven and stayed on strongly flat, won at Chepstow 2m 3yo hdl Grd 1 (1) hvy in Dec beating Sang Bleu (11-0) by 10l, 8 ran.
Monsieur Jourdain (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Led until approaching 2nd, led 4th, driven flat, stayed on, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Gwyre (10-5) by 2l, 10 ran.
Sergeant Pink (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Chased leader, pushed along after 3 out, soon beaten, blundered last, tailed off, 8th of 11, 49l behind Olofi (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Bocamix (FR) 8-15fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, joined next, headed and not fluent last, ridden and no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Stormy Weather (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Stars Du Granits (FR) 6-4 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on flat, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Sang Bleu (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) sft.
Diktalina 16-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, led after 3 out, in command before 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft beating Anak (11-8) by 8l, 8 ran.
Veronicas Boy 3-1fav (11-9) Tracked leader, hit 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 9, 37l behind Orsippus (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (4) gd.
