chased leaders until 7th, lost place next, last and struggling 10th, tailed off
led 2nd until headed 7th, chased leader, led again 5 out, clear 4 out, about 12 lengths ahead and going strongly when went lame after 3 out, pulled up and dismounted
held up in rear, mistake and reminder 7th, stayed on approaching last, kept on flat, nearest finish
took keen hold, chased leaders, went 3rd 11th until approaching 5 out, soon ridden and weakened
not always fluent, led until 2nd, chased leader, hit 6th, led again 7th until 5 out, left modest 3rd after 3 out, until weakened next
took keen hold, held up in rear, headway before 5 out, left 4th after 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, no impression
held up towards rear, pushed along before 5 out, soon one pace and struggling
chased leaders, ridden and went 2nd 5 out, about 12 lengths down and well held when left in clear lead after 3 out
took keen hold, held up in touch, headway after 11th, went 3rd 4 out, left 2nd after 3 out, no chance with winner, blundered last
SULTAN FONTENAILLE has found life more difficult since scoring at Taunton over three miles last year but has been far from disgraced in three subsequent outings over a variety of trips. He has been dropped a couple of pounds for his latest placed effort behind Commemoration Day, goes on the ground and the drop in trip is no problem. George Baker produced Gilt Free to win on his chasing debut earlier in the week by sending his charge straight in handicap company and has chances of repeating the feat with Oscar Close. Digital Media usually finds one or two too good but is on a fair mark and has place claims. Laneguy is another to consider.
American World (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, lost place approaching 10th, mistake next, soon behind, last of 7, dis behind Midnight Appeal (11-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Sultan Fontenaille (FR) 2-1fav (11-3) Held up in rear, in touch, went 2nd and hit 4 out, every chance next, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Commemoration Day (11-3) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Its Crucial (IRE) 11-2 (10-8) Led until after 1st, prominent, ridden approaching 5 out, weakened from 4 out, 5th of 8, 22l behind Baseball Ted (10-13) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Laneguy (FR) 11-8fav (11-4) Held up in 4th, closed from 8th, ridden after 4 out, 3rd and well held from 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Roudoudou Ville (11-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Mar.
Manmoon (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leader to 8th, regained 2nd at 11th, led next, headed 2 out, soon ridden and lost place, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 5, 23l behind Grenoli (10-6) at Stratford 2m 7f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Kap West (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Slight lead until headed and dropped to 3rd after 7th, losing touch with front pair when blundered 8th, struggling when unseated rider 10th, in a race won by Shoreacres (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f nov chs (4) sft in Feb, 5 ran.
Jayjay Valentine 5-1 (10-11) In rear, headway 9th, 4th when blundered 5 out, soon ridden, weakened flat, 4th of 11, 12l behind Quazy De Joie (11-0) at Chepstow 3m Conditional Handicap Chase (0-100) (5yo+) (4) gd in Mar.
Digital Media (IRE) 13-2 (10-2) Tracked leaders, not fluent 9th, closed in 3rd when not fluent 3 out, chased winner 2 out, 2 lenghts down last, switched right flat, stayed on, unable to challenge, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Tooka (10-6) at Towcester 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Mister Watzisname (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Prominent, challenged 3rd, hampered badly 7th, not recover and pulled up before next, in a race won by Lonesome Boatman (9-13) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Oscar Close (IRE) 9-4fav (11-3) Mid-division, headway to track leading leading pair before 3 out until before 2 out, rallied to go again 3rd last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Beau Lake (11-0) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
