chased leader, led 6th, clear approaching 2 out, headed last, weakened flat
always towards rear
held up in mid-division, good headway on outside approaching 2 out, every chance last, unable to quicken flat
held up, headway and hard ridden before 3 out, hit 2 out, led narrowly last, headed and not quickened flat
chased leaders, mistake and lost place 8th, tailed off when puledl up 2 out
mid-division, driven and outpaced approaching 2 out, staying on under pressure and only 6th jumping last, driven ahead flat , stayed on well
led to 6th, chased leader to 9th, weakened quickly, pulled up and dismounted after 2 out (lame)
held up in rear, mistake 9th, no chance from next, jumped left last
behind, hit 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always behind
in touch, tracked clear leader from 9th, closed approaching 2 out, ridden and every chance last, not quicken flat
in mid-division until weakened 9th
mistake 1st, behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, good headway, tracked leaders before 2 out, weakened before last
pulled hard, prominent when stumbled and unseated rider 7th
The hat-trick seeking McKelvey makes his handicap debut off what looks a fair mark but all of his form is on a heavy surface so an ability to handle today's ground has to be taken on trust and preference is for Comanche War Paint, who gets the vote over Yourman. The last mentioned looked the likely winner when falling at the last at Exeter last month and has an obvious chance although a 6lb higher mark leaves Martin Pipe's gelding with more to do today. Stablemate Vivid Imagination shoulders top weight of 11st 12lb and may struggle under the burden but his participation ensures that another Pipe inmate, Tell The Trees, can race off a featherweight 10st 5lb and the Fontwell winner has to be respected under Tom Malone. Nicky Henderson's Go For Bust has been in good form of late but gave the impression last time that the handicapper may now have his measure and of more interest may be Jesper. The Richard Phillips-trained gelding has won his last two stars but this looks a lot tougher than the race that he won at Fakenham last time. A similar comment would apply to another on a hat-trick Laudamus, while the frustrating Miko de Beauchene may do better now that he goes handicapping. Comanche War Paint is better know for his chasing exploits but looks well-handicapped judged not only on chase form but also on the evidence of his win in a novice hurdle at Taunton last month and he is given the vote.
Vivid Imagination (IRE) 16-1 In touch, not fluent 4th, soon ridden and beaten, 18th of 21, 41l behind Stance at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs in Mar.
Mister Flint 8-1 Behind, mistake 4th, effort 4 out, soon ridden and weakened next, 6th of 17, 29l behind dhtrs Il Duce & Bengo at Newbury 2m 5f nh nov hdl (D) gs in Mar.
Go For Bust Evensfav Held up, not fluent, headway to go 2nd after 9th, ridden after 2 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Sword Lady at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Mar.
Mckelvey (IRE) 2-1 In touch, headway 7th, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, clear 2 out, ran on, won at Ludlow 3m nov hdl (E) sft in Mar beating Lord Of The Road by 6l, 9 ran.
Miko de Beauchene (FR) 4-1fav Held up rear, stayed on from 4 out, slight chance when mistaken, jumped left last, 4th of 16, 4l behind River Phantom at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (D) gs.
Comanche War Paint (IRE) 10-3fav In touch, disputing 6th when fell at the 27th in race won by Spot Thedifference at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (B) gs in Mar, 16 ran.
Makulu (IRE) 33-1 Made most to 5th, stayed close up until weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Migwell at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) sft in Feb, 10 ran.
Yourman (IRE) 4-1 Held up, headway from 6th, joined leader and jumped left 3 out, led after 2 out, 2 lengths clear when fell at the last in race won by Laudamus at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Mar, 14 ran.
Zaffinello (IRE) 14-1 Held up in mid-division, ridden approaching 7th, chased leader 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 5th of 12, 9l behind Martha's Kinsman at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gs in Mar.
Midnight Gold 4-1 Held up in touch, led 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, headed when mistake 2 out, weakened, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Roi De L'odet at Ludlow 3m nov hdl (D) gs in Mar.
Lady of Scarvagh (IRE) 9-4 Chased winner, upside when pecked 2 out, every chance last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Neltina at Fontwell 2m 6f mrs beg chs (E) gd in Mar.
Jesper (FR) 5-2 Always travelling well, held up in touch, joined leader 4 out, led next, hit last, ridden clear flat, won at Fakenham 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gd in Mar beating Supreme Rullah by 4l, 5 ran.
Gulabill 11-1 Chased leader, led 2nd, blundered 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 8, well behind Rogues Gallery at Wetherby 2m 7f nov hdl (E) gs in Mar.
Laudamus 10-1 Prominent, headway 7th to chase leader, ridden and challenged 2 out, led and hit last, driven clear flat, won at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd beating General Grey by 2l, 12 ran.
Tell The Trees 11-1 Held up rear, jumped left 5th, ridden 4 out, stayed on well to lead last, ran on, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Feb beating Ice Crystal by 4l, 14 ran.
General Grey (IRE) 3-1jt-fav Held up towards rear, headway 8th, took closer order after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on well, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Laudamus at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd.
