BELARGUS never figured on his reappearance at Newbury but he will have come on a bundle for the outing and would have strong claims on last season’s form. Firak’s two wins over fences have come in hunter chases so he’ll need to improve while three of Dibble Decker’s four career victories have come at Huntingdon but he’s worth considering with his yard firing on all cylinders. Seigneur Des As returns to action having switched stables but Invincible Nao still has scope for improvement over fences, though has yet to win in this country.
Dibble Decker (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Hit 1st, chased leaders on inside, led and hit 4th, blundered and headed 12th, chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, weakened 3 out, 9th of 12, 26 1/2l behind Huelgoat (11-10) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Belargus (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Towards rear, well behind 4 out, 5th of 10, dist behind Galop De Chasse (11-3) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Firak (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Close up in rear, went 3rd at 7th, ridden and every chance before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 5, 5 1/2l behind The Edgar Wallace (11-10) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Seigneur Des As (FR) 9-2 (11-13) Held up off the pace in rear, pushed along after 4 out, ridden and plugged on after 2 out, never going pace to challenge, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Marettimo (11-4) at Ludlow 3m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Invincible Nao (FR) 15-2 (11-4) In touch in rear, headway and tracked leaders 4 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, one pace and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Passing Well (12-2) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
