prominent, reminders 11th, lost place next, tailed off
led, headed when mistake 14th, soon weakened
with leaders, led 14th, headed 2 out, led again last, stayed on well
jumped slowly, in touch, reminders 6th, hard ridden 3 out, led 2 out, headed last, no extra
joined leaders, 9th, ridden and one pace 3 out
Nonrunner
Esprit Saint deserves to get his head in front following three consecutive placed efforts and looks to have been found the opportunity to do so getting the vote ahead of Super Lord and Holland Park. The last mentioned was a useful performer over hurdles on his day but has clearly had his problems over the last couple of seasons and is hard to back with any confidence on his return to chasing. The Nicky Richards-trained Windy Hills gave little sign of optimism on his chasing debut at Kempton in January and may be best watched now, while Auburn Duke has given little cause for encouragement so far. Jim Bobs Girl looks little better than moderate and of more interest may be Jim Old's Super Lord, who is probably better than he showed when pulled up at Wincanton last month and comes from a yard in good form now. Esprit Saint has solid claims in a race lacking strength in depth though and he gets the vote.
Auburn Duke 40-1 (10-7) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, beaten when pulled up 2 out in race won by Aitch Doubleyou (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec, 14 ran.
Holland Park (IRE) 100-1 (10-8) Led until 7th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 14th of 16, 33l behind Taranis (10-3) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb.
Super Lord (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden 16th, weakened next, beaten when pulled up 3 out in race won by Wizard of Edge (10-11) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb, 12 ran.
Windy Hills 5-1co-fav (11-11) Held up in rear, ridden 11th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Lady of Scarvagh (11-10) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan, 11 ran.
Jim Bobs Girl (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) In rear, lost touch from 7th, not a danger after, 4th of 6, 29l behind Alfie's Sun (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd.
Esprit Saint (FR) 4-5fav (11-2) Keen, with leader, led 4th, headed 10th, ridden and mistake 2 out, switched right and rallied final 100 yards, just failed, 2nd of 5, shd behind Brumous (11-2) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (3) sft in Feb.