in touch, headway to chase leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out
jumped poorly in mid-division, weakened after 4 out
held up well in rear, rapidly headway to lead 13th, headed 3 out, weakened
always behind
led, holding slight lead when blundered and unseated rider 11th
mistakes, never going well in rear, tailed off when pulled up approaching 3 out
held up, headway to track leader 11th, led 3 out, headed approaching last, no extra and lost 2nd run-in
chased leaders, went 2nd 12th, still tracking leaders and going well when fell 3 out
chased leaders, lost place 11th, rallied approaching last, kept on under pressure run-in
close up, not fluent 10th, weakened 4 out
mid-division, hit 2nd, hampered 11th, well in touch when badly hampered 4 out, losing when fell 3 out
mistake 3rd, soon pushed along in mid-division, under pressure 7th, behind 11th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
held up, headway 11th, chased leaders 4 out, weakened after 2 out
always behind
chased leaders until weakened 4 out
held up in rear, slightly hampered 11th, steady headway from 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, led approaching last, driven out
chased leaders, left in lead 11th, headed 13th, slightly outpaced next, stayed on approaching last, kept on run-in
mid-division, hit 8th, behind 12th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out
held up in mid-division, headway 4 out, went 2nd after 3 out to approaching last, rallied to regain 2nd run-in
Nonrunner
King Revo has just managed to sneak in right at the bottom of the weights and gets the vote in this competitive opener, although there are obvious dangers afoot in the shape of New Little Bric, Mr Pointment, and Aztec Warrior. Pat Haslam's charge has been brought along steadily this season and his trainer's patience was rewarded when a comfortable winner at Hexham last time out. Racing off a mark of 132 today (winner off this mark over hurdles with today's jockey AP McCoy on-board), he will appreciate any drying in the ground and as a runner-up in the Cesarewitch, today's step up in trip should prove ideal. Paul Nicholls' trains New Little Bric whose only reverse over fences came at the hands of Arkle runner-up Fair Along over an inadequate trip back in December. Effortlessly impressive since he certainly has solid claims, although as a novice stepping into handicap company for the first time, a mark of 146 may be prohibitive. He had Aztec Warrior behind him that day, but the latter is entitled to get closer today with a hefty pull in the weights and also the prospect of the hill likely to play to his stamina strengths. Limited Edition needed the run first time out this season but has won in grand style twice since. A winner on good and soft, there is no reason why he shouldn't get involved, especially as he should be staying on strongly up the hill. Kings Advocate is a consistent sort from the Tom Taaffe yard and will appreciate his step back up in trip after being well-beaten over the bare two miles last time out. He should be watched for major signs of support, as should fellow Irish raider Vic Venturi. Chief Yeoman represents a stable in terrific form and chases the hat-trick here although this is an indefinitely tougher task. Stablemate Flintoff seemingly had his limitations exposed last time out but isn't a forlorn hope, whilst Evan William's Pole Star could go well at a price. Ultimately this appears to have been the plan with King Revo for some time and he is taken to bring the plan to fruition today and give high-profile owner JP McManus yet another festival winner.
New Little Bric (FR) 10-11fav (11-6) Led 3rd, briefly headed when hit 9th, jumped well to seal it 2 out and last, ran on well, won at Sandown 2m 4f nov chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Feb beating Aztec Warrior (11-6) by 8l, 4 ran.
Knight Legend (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Raced mainly 4th, moderate 3rd from before straight, ridden when fell in race won by Watson Lake (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb, 7 ran.
Milan Deux Mille (FR) 7-2co-fav (11-1) Held up and keen, led approaching 6th, ridden 11th, headed after, mistake 3 out and weakened, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Nozic (11-1) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Feb.
Aztec Warrior (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Led until 3rd, tracked leaders, chased winner after 3 out, kept on, 2nd of 4, 8l behind New Little Bric (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f nov chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Feb.
Pole Star 4-6fav (11-6) Led until headed after 14th, soon beaten, 2nd of 4, 19l behind Flying Enterprise (11-6) at Ascot 2m 5f nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Desert Air (JPN) 4-1 (11-3) Led to 4th, with leader, not jump well from 5th, shaken up 6th, weakened 7th, 3rd of 4, 27l behind Ursis (11-3) at Wincanton 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Wee Robbie 33-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on but always held, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Gungadu (11-10) at Ascot 3m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Limited Edition (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Tracked leader, challenging from 11th, ridden to lead 3 out, drew clear from next, eased near finish, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb beating Fast Forward (11-6) by a distance, 7 ran.
Vic Venturi (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, 7th before 4 out, headway after 2 out, left moderate 3rd last, kept on, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Mister Top Notch (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs Grd 1 (1) hvy in Feb.
Dictum (GER) 2-1jt-fav (11-8) Chased leader, led approaching 6th, not fluent next, clear 2 out, eased flat, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Jan beating Baron Monty (11-2) by 19l, 6 ran.
Chief Yeoman 6-5fav (11-6) Chased leaders, improved 3 out, lead approaching next, ridden out, won at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) sft in Feb beating Garde Champetre (11-6) by 3l, 7 ran.
Tora Bora (GER) 6-4fav (9-11) In touch, reminder and lost place 6th, ridden 7th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 9, 31l behind Lord Sam (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Kings Advocate (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, moderate 3rd before last, kept on, 3rd of 11, 12l behind Carthalawn (10-9) at Naas 2m hcp chs 0-130 sft in Feb.
Phar Bleu (FR) 5-1 (11-9) Close up, left 3rd after 8th, closed on winner after 4 out, weakened next, 3rd of 4, 24l behind Coach Lane (10-6) at Kempton 2m nov hcp chs (2) hvy.
Flying Enterprise (IRE) 11-4fav (10-7) Mistake 1st, in mid-division until driven and weakened after 11th, 8th of 11, 25l behind Madison Du Berlais (11-5) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft.
L'Antartique (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Chased clear leader, challenged and every chance last, no extra flat, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Dom d'Orgeval (11-8) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (3) sft in Feb.
Rasharrow (IRE) 6-5 (11-3) In touch, effort when not fluent last, driven and stayed on to go 2nd flat, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Another Promise (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
King Revo (IRE) 2-5fav (11-4) Tracked leader, led 6th, stayed on flat, won at Hexham 2m beg chs (4) sft in Feb beating Andre Chenier (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Bob Hall (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, mistake 2nd, headway to chase leading trio after 4 out, weakened under pressure next, 5th of 6, 15l behind Jack The Giant (10-13) at Kempton 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Flintoff (USA) 7-1 (10-13) Towards rear, rapid headway after 9th to press leaders, ridden after 13th, weakened before last, 11th of 18, 28l behind Rambling Minster (10-5) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Feb.
