chased leaders, not fluent 8th, hit 12th, challenged 4 out, outpaced by front pair after 2 out
not fluent, keen hold in touch, mistake 11th, challenging for 2nd when mistake 3 out, weakened soon after
took keen hold, tracking leaders until blundered and unseated rider 4th
tracked leaders, led 4th, joined and hit 2 out, mistake and narrowly headed soon after last, stayed challenging and strong challenge near finish, just held
mostly tracked leader, challenged from 2 out, narrow lead soon after last, strongly pressed run in, held on gamely under pressure near finish
led to 4th, soon dropped to rear, struggling when slow jump 13th, tailed of
chased leaders in 4th, driven along and outpaced after 4 out
Petitjean gets the confident vote here with Pretty Star and Art Virginia rating the main dangers, The selection won with plenty in hand last time out when beating Supreme Catch and although having a penalty for that win he still looks ahead of the handicapper and he will be hard to beat. Pretty Star is another that could go well on his latest fourth behind New Little Bric but he looks vulnerable under top weight and is taken on with this in mind. Art Virginia is another last-time-out winner that could go well as he beat Dearson last time but this looks tougher and he looks vulnerable under his penalty. Of the remainder Black Hills has conditions to suit and coud go well at a price but he has risen in the weights for being beaten last time out and with this in mind for the winner we return to Petitjean.
Pretty Star (GER) 9-1 (11-6) With winner 3rd, led briefly 9th, mistake 13th, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out, last of 4, 27l behind New Little Bric (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f nov chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Feb.
Petitjean 5-4fav (11-6) Held up, headway 13th, led approaching 3 out, soon clear, heavily eased flat, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft beating Supreme Catch (11-12) by 13l, 8 ran.
Art Virginia (FR) 14-1 (11-11) Jumped left 1st, soon prominent, chased leader from 3rd, led 7th, clear after 9th, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gs in Dec beating Dearson (11-11) by 3l, 13 ran.
Black Hills 10-3 (11-5) Prominent, hampered after 8th, chased leaders 10th, kept on same pace from 4 out, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Lucifer Bleu (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Always Waining (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, headway 10th, led after 2 out, ran on well, won at Taunton 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan beating Chief Yeoman (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Monteforte 9-1 (11-12) Led, ridden, headed 2 out, rallied to lead again by omitted last fence, stayed on, won at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb beating Mistress Nell (10-5) by 2l, 5 ran.
Sir Brastias 14-1 (11-12) Mistakes, effort 12th, no impression from 15th, 5th of 9, 14l behind Touch Closer (11-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
