tracked leaders, lost place 7th, ridden and struggling from next
close up, dropped to rear 4th, ridden and struggling 8th
made all, 4 lengths clear 3 out, not fluent next, ridden out
tracked leaders, ridden to chase clear winner 3 out, no impression from next
held up, ridden 3 out, some headway next, never a factor
tracked winner until approaching 3 out, weakened next
keen, held up in rear, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace from next
This looks wide-open with the likes of Kansas City Chief and Salmanazar having the past form to figure though both are returning from an absence. Crixus's Escape and Atomic Rumble have shown progressive form over hurdles despite both struggling on their respective latest starts with the former less exposed and dropping down in class. But a chance is take on KNOCK HOUSE returning to form back over timber today. He's undergone wind surgery since struggling over fences on his reappearance and Donald McCain's yard has sent out the last three winners of this.
Kansas City Chief (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Mid-division, blundered 4 out, outpaced 2 out, never threatened leaders, 13th of 23, 18 1/2l behind Delta Work (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Kaki De La Pree (FR) 10-3 (11-12) Held up in rear, soon pushed along, reminders after 2nd, detached next, struggling in rear when pulled up after 5th, at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Knock House (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, outpaced before next, never on terms, ridden and weakened before last, 7th of 10, 27 1/4l behind Looksnowtlikebrian (11-2) at Carlisle 3m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Salmanazar 6-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 2nd when not fluent 4 out, one pace and beaten from 2 out, no extra last, took 3rd flat, 3rd of 12, 7 3/4l behind Bobo Mac (11-3) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Crixus's Escape (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, never danngerous, 7th of 9, 20 1/4l behind Aspen Colorado (10-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Atomic Rumble (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, slow 4 out, weakened after next, 7th of 14, 21 1/4l behind New Quay (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Valadom (FR) 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders after next, stayed on into 4th after last, no impression, 4th of 23, 8l behind Palmers Hill (11-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
