made virtually all, pressed from 2 out, headed narrowly last, soon regained lead, kept on
tracked leaders, outpaced from 2 out
tracked leaders, chased winner from 3 out, pressed winner from next, led narrowly last until blundered badly last, kept on and not recover
tracked winner until 3 out, soon outpaced
held up towards rear, weakened from 3 out
held up towards rear, pushed along before 5th, soon weakened
in rear, reminders before 5th, tailed off
held up towards rear, weakened from 3 out
TOP VILLE BEN will likely be a short price to extend his unbeaten run. Nicky Henderson’s charge won a point-to-point and a bumper prior to making a winning start over timber at Leicester, where he made all and never looked in any danger. Count Meribel hasn’t managed a victory in five starts under Rules but has gone close a couple of times, including at Plumpton last month. He should find a small race somewhere and makes more appeal than remote Fakenham third Ardmayle and First Du Charmil, only fourth when favourite for a Southwell bumper a little under a year ago.
Top Ville Ben (IRE) 4-5fav (11-5) Made all, jumped big and left 1st, clear from 3 out, unchallenged, won at Leicester 2m (4) gs in Jan beating Whatmore (11-5) by 7l, 13 ran.
Ardmayle (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Prominent, not fluent and led 2nd, headed when mistake 2 out, 4th and no extra when left 3rd last, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Argante (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Dec.
Count Meribel 5-1 (11-5) Led, ridden and headed bypassing last, kept on same pace, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Golden Birthday (11-5) at Plumpton 2m (4) sft in Jan.
First Du Charmil (FR) 3-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression, 4th of 12, 9 1/2l behind Happy Hollow (10-12) at Southwell 2m (5) gs in Feb.
Generous Day (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, fell 2 out, at Bangor 2m 1f (4) gs in Jan.
Marble Mist 50-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, 11th of 14, 34l behind Carlos Du Fruitier (11-4) at Warwick 2m (6) sft in Jan.
Mighty Mustang 100-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders on outer, blundered 3rd, lost place next, tailed off 5th, pulled up, at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gs in Dec.
Qodiaq (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led over 4f out until over 2f out, chased leading pair, no impression when ridden and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 14, 12 1/4l behind Blazon (11-0) at Lingfield 2m (6) pol in Dec.
