mostly jumped slickly, made all, hit 5th, ridden between last 2, driven and stayed on strongly run-in, unchallenged
held up last, closer in 4th place at 3rd, hit 5th, travelling well in 3rd before 2 out, went 2nd before the last, driven and stayed on run-in, not quite pace to challenge
held up in 4th place, dropped to last at 3rd, weakened 3 out
tracked leading pair on inside, pushed along after 3 out, struggling and beaten before next, eased
chased winner, pushed along before 2 out, lost 2nd and no extra in 3rd before the last
The handicapper rates Southfield Stone 3lb higher than stablemate Grand Sancy but this is a massive step up from novice events at Taunton and it would be no surprise if Sam Twiston-Davies’ mount did best. Idee De Garde’s Newcastle second was boosted when the winner defied a penalty at Newbury but massive improvement would still be needed here. Mercy Mercy Me has yet to match his bumper form in hurdles but Fergal O’Brien does still hold him in high regard and Rathhill looked a smart performer in the making as he only had to be pushed out to win a maiden at Newbury on his debut under Rules. ELIXIR DE NUTZ had the form of his latest victory at Cheltenham franked when the runner-up bolted up in a Listed contest at that track on New Year’s Day, beating a Henderson hot-pot. Colin Tizzard won this two years ago with Finian’s Oscar and he looks to have another top-class prospect on his hands.
Elixir De Nutz (FR) 6-5fav (11-8) Made all, ridden flat, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f (3) gd in Dec beating Jarveys Plate (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Grand Sancy (FR) 14-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, chased leaders and mistake 2 out, kept on same pace in 4th run-in, 4th of 21, 6l behind Mohaayed (11-10) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Mercy Mercy Me 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led narrowly before 4 out, headed 2 out, soon outpaced and ridden, no chance with front pair from last, 3rd of 10, 13 1/2l behind Alsa Mix (10-7) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec.
Rathhill (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, travelling well before 3 out, went 2nd last, quickened to lead run-in, comfortably, won at Newbury 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec beating Nordic Combined (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 20 ran.
Southfield Stone 2-9fav (11-4) Made all, readily, won at Taunton 2m (4) gd in Dec beating Super Snipe (10-12) by 5l, 13 ran.
Idee De Garde (FR) 5-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, stayed on well, never reached winner, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Champagne Platinum (11-0) at Newcastle 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
