held up, stayed on from 4 out, took 2nd last
held up and keen, led approaching 6th, ridden 11th, headed after, mistake 3 out and weakened
held up, mistake 7th, pulled up 9th
in touch, led approaching 11th, ridden 4 out, clear 2 out, comfortable
in rear, ridden from 8th, soon well behind and pulled up before 11th
led, headed after 5th, ridden 7th, lost place from next, well behind approaching 12th
tracked leaders, lost place 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
tracked leaders, mistake 7th, ridden 12th, weakened 3 out
This is a highly competitive handicap chase in which you could safely say everyone had a chance but we will give the vote to Milan Deux Mille with Hakim and Coach Lane the two main rivals. The selection is bidding for a five timer and has risen an increditable forty two pounds in four weeks as a process. The handicapper obviously underestimated his ability and he has been well in as a result. Things will be tougher for him now but with the form of the stables horses going from strength to strength he is still worth keeping on the right side of once more. Hakim is entered for the National and was second in the Topham Trophy last year at the Aintree festival. Since then he came to grief over the National fences in November. This is his first run since and it will be used as a prep race for the big one in April but if fit he could be a danger. Coach Lane is an improver. He runs off the same mark as when winning at Ayr last time out. He has a nice racing weight and with the stables runners in good form at present he is another to note. But for the winner in such a competitive race we will give the tentative vote to Milan Deux Mille.
Kalca Mome (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, mistake 4th, dropped rear 6th, never a danger after, 8th of 12, 23l behind Dempsey (11-10) at Sandown 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
Milan Deux Mille (FR) Evensfav (11-1) Jumped left throughout, pulled hard, led 5th, jumped violently left from 9th, headed 4 out, ridden to lead again next, driven out, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs beating Le Seychellois (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Mister Quasimodo 15-8 (11-9) Prominent, led 8th, travelling well and narrow advantage when fell 2 out in race won by Aztec Warrior (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) sft in Jan, 5 ran.
Nozic (FR) 7-2 (9-12) Raced on inside throughout, led, blundered 10th, hit 4 out, narrowly headed next, no impression before last, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Too Forward (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) hvy in Jan.
No Full (FR) 9-1 (10-1) In touch, every chance 4 out, led next, headed approaching 2 out, no extra, 8th of 15, 29l behind D'Argent (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Dec.
Hakim (NZ) 7-1jt-fav (11-12) Led until fell at the 8th in race won by I Hear Thunder (11-2) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov, 20 ran.
Wain Mountain 11-2 (11-7) Led, mistake and headed 3rd, remained in touch, ridden and lost place after 5 out, soon weakened, last of 6, 50l behind St Matthew (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs.
Coach Lane 8-11fav (11-3) Made all, challenged from 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on run-in, won at Ayr 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Dec beating The Biker (11-3) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
