Verdict
This looks trappy with all runners holding a claim and Drom is sure to be popular in search of a quick three-timer. However, this looks a tougher test than those recent successes and a 7lb penalty will make life harder too. MOSCOW CHANCER has only had the three runs over the bigger obstacles and did much better last time when third to Tavalu here last month. He only faded late on, on what was his first run since October, and there should be more to come off an unchanged mark. Crystal Prince looks quite dangerous off the bottom rung for the Longsdon team whilst Douryna is a consistent mare who confirmed herself still in good heart when runner-up to Niceonefrankie last time.
Formwatch
Dovecote Wood 5-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, keen hold, led 2nd, headed 7th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Rev It Up (11-0) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct, 10 ran.
Akarshan (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, blundered and hampered 1st, mistake 3rd, hit 11th, hampered 13th, soon outpaced, stayed on flat, no impression, 5th of 7, 9l behind Stormhoek (10-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Jan.
Douryna 9-2 (10-9) Held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, hit 6th, led when jumped right and bumped 2 out, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Niceonefrankie (10-10) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Jan.
Daneva (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd, led 12th, jumped left and bumped 3 out, headed before next, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Niceonefrankie (10-10) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Jan.
Drom 2-1fav (12-4) Made all, hard pressed from 4 out, ridden and stayed on wel flat, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp ch 0-95 (5) gd in Jan beating Killfinnan Castle (9-11) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Brimham Boy 3-1 (10-13) Chased winner until after 5th, chased leaders, weakened 4 out, beaten when not fluent 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, 32l behind Morestead (11-9) at Lingfield 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Moscow Chancer (IRE) 2-1fav (11-10) Bumped 1st, held up, headway to 3rd 11th, went 2nd and went left 4 out, challenged 2 out, led and hung right approaching last, headed flat, soon hung right and one pace, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Tavalu (9-7) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Jan.
Crystal Prince 7-2 (10-4) Held up, hit 5th, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, beaten 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 6, 37l behind Global Flyer (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
