tracked winner, outpaced before 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out
led, pushed along and drew clear before 3 out, not fluent 2 out, headed last, rallied run-in to regain lead last 100 yards, driven out
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 3 out, led last, headed last 100 yards, kept on
tracked leaders, went 3rd from 2 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace
in rear, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out
held up in touch, weakened before 3 out
This looks a cracking contest as all six runners appear to be on an upward curve. Le Prezien will be popular given connections and was always travelling best at Doncaster last time. Vieux Lille has won twice at Exeter and will handle conditions while Bigmartre has won two of his three starts so far over timber, though looks a chaser in the making. ITS'AFREEBEE won easily over further here last month and that proven stamina will stand him in good stead today. He could be the value, though Baby Bach also stays further and ran a cracker in a handicap here on his latest start. Ballypoint may need his sights lowered to get off the mark.
Bigmartre (FR) 9-4 (11-5) Made all, driven clear 3 out, strongly challenged from 2 out, kept on well under pressure, won at Haydock 2m (4) hvy in Dec beating Vintage Clouds (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Its'afreebee (IRE) 6-4 (11-5) Made all, driven clear 2 out, ran on strongly, impressive, won at Haydock 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec beating Robinshill (10-12) by 24l, 7 ran.
Le Prezien (FR) 1-4fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, soon tracked leaders in 3rd, challenged on bit 2 out, led before last, soon clear, very easily, won at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) sft in Jan beating Desertmore Hill (11-5) by 19l, 7 ran.
Vieux Lille (IRE) 1-4fav (11-5) Made all, clear when hit last, easily, won at Exeter 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan beating Cailleach Annie (10-5) by 9l, 7 ran.
Baby Bach (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Held up in rear but in touch, headway approaching 4 out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on strongly after last, never reached winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Montdragon (11-10) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Ballypoint (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, went 2nd before next, ridden between last 2, kept on same pace, no impression with winner, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Que Sera (11-0) at Towcester 2m mdn (5) sft in Dec.
