tracked leaders, led after 8th, ridden and headed 3 out, in 3rd and beat when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
tracked leader until blundered 2nd, jumped slow 3rd, unseated rider when tried to refuse 7th
tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden, no chance with winner
soon tracking leader, mistake 5th, led 2 out easily
led until after 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
KICKS FOR FREE has been hyped up in recent weeks and is fancied to take this at the main expense of Special Envoy. The Nicholls-Walsh combination is unbeatable at present (paths aside) and the selection is an interesting recruit to chasing this year. Rated 150 over hurdles, this track and trip should pose no problems having won on quick tracks before and he looks worth an interest. Special Envoy is now in the care of Tim Vaughan as all of Dai Walters horses are now, and rated slightly superior over hurdles, he is another interesting contender. He had a mixed last season being pulled up on his last two starts but he has plenty of ability and it would come as no surprise to see him cantering with two to jump. Chasing was always going to be the plan for Coq Hardi and Peter Bowen's gelding should not be overlooked despite having plenty to find on hurdles ratings, Bedlam Boy has been brought along steadily but the stables horses normally need more time, whilst Charlie Crab unseated his rider on his chase debut and this quick track may place too much emphasis on his jumping if the confidence has gone. An intriguing race, with Kicks For Free taken to oblige.
Bedlam Boy (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Mid-division until weakened approaching 7th, well behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Naiad du Misselot (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar, 24 ran.
Charlie Crab 9-4 (10-12) In touch when blundered badly and unseated rider at the 11th in race won by According To Pete (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (3) gs, 10 ran.
Coq Hardi (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, held up in touch, driven and weakened after 10th, 15th of 22, well behind Forest Pennant (10-13) at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Kicks For Free (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway 7th, hung left from 3 out, every chance when mistake 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 11, 13l behind Blazing Bailey (11-10) at Aintree 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Apr.
Special Envoy (FR) 50-1 (11-10) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Inglis Drever (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar, 17 ran.
