tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 4th, outpaced 2 out, stayed on strongly flat
held up in touch, lost place 9th, headway when fell 3out
tracked winner, hard driven 3 out, one pace from next
prominent, soon held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, kept on same pace from next
held up in rear, mistake 1st, progress to mid-division 4th, chased leaders 8th, led approaching last, headed flat, no extra
always behind, pushed along 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out
always behind
led, jumped left throughout, headed approaching last, rallied under pressure, stayed on gamely to lead flat
held up in rear, struggling 6th, crumpled on landing and unseated rider 7th
Inthejungle has to prove he can produce his best on ground this lively, so with that a serious doubt we'll turn to PISTOLET DOVE ahead of Prince Louis. Phillip Hobbs' gelding won well for this jockey back in December off a lowly mark of 93. That victory promised more was to come but he disappointed favourite backers when fifth last time off today's revised mark of 102. With that in mind he's got questions to answer, but as the form of his success has worked out well with the second horse scoring since, the ground is fine and the step up in trip is set to suit, it's worth giving him another chance in a weak affair. Prince Louis may be a slightly better animal with cut but he did show some form on genuine good ground in France and has fewer questions to answer than most. Yes, he fell last time but that was his first serious mistake and providing the gelding puts in a clear round he must have a chance; he's unexposed too which certainly adds to that case. Inthejungle would look an obvious player up just 5lbs following a good win, but that was on very testing ground and he's yet to do it under these conditions. In fairness to him, he's only had two starts in this country and has performed with credit both times so if he does go on the surface he'd be the one to beat off a fair mark. Quarrymount would have claims on the pick of his hurdling form but he showed little when returning from an absence last time and is best watched along with Ouragan Lagrange whose jumping is a big concern. As such, Little Eaglet may be the best of the rest as he goes on the ground and has proved to be really consistent lately but this will be his first try over fences and a watching brief may be the best advice today. This interesting if low-grade handicap chase can go to Pistolet Dove.
Little Eaglet (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Led to 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 11, 10l behind Lord Singer (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Inthejungle (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, challenged 10th, led soon after 3 out, soon clear, driven after 2 out, no danger after, finished tired, won at Plumpton 2m 4f 5yo nov hcp (4) hvy beating Tanners Court (11-1) by 4l, 7 ran.
Quarrymount 10-1 (11-10) Led, not fluent 3rd, headed after 10th, soon weakened, 5th of 6, well behind Noble Bily (10-10) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Uncle Eli (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Jumped with little confidence, always in rear, 9th of 13, well behind Plum Pudding (11-10) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Pistolet Dove (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) In touch on outside, not fluent 1st, niggled along approaching 3rd and several stages after, driven after 8th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 10, 18l behind Moulin De La Croix (10-8) at Leicester 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Feb.
Ouragan Lagrange (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Behind when fell 4 out, in a race won by Roseneath (10-13) at Huntingdon 3m 5yo nov hcp (4) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Timon's Present 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, driven and lost place approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 15, 23l behind Vivarini (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Prince Louis (FR) 5-2fav (10-13) Led, headed 4th, blundered next, led narrowly again 6th, fell 7th, in a race won by The Hardy Boy (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan, 8 ran.
Bollywood (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Mistakes, well in rear, poor 5th and one fence behind after 3 out, plugged on into 4th, tailed off, 4th of 8, 37l behind Tanks For That (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 1f beg chase (4) gs in Feb.
