held up, headway approaching 7th, ridden, one pace from 2 out
held up in rear, keen, headway 4 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out
chased leader to 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last
led, ridden, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up towards rear in touch from 4th, headway 4 out, weakened 3 out
held up in touch, lost position after 4 out, pulled up before next
held up, headway 4th, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, ran on well
held up in rear, not fluent to 3rd, some effort approaching 4 out, but soon weakened
Lazerito, Sesame Rambler, Sasso and Kandjar d' Allier all have chances in this handicap hurdle but a confident vote goes to Kandjar d'Allier. The Alan King trained eight year old is extremely well treated on the best of his chase form. He was third in last year's Paddy Power Gold Cup and clearly found three miles in the mud at Haydock beyond him last time. He is the class horse of the race and should be too good for these. Of the rest, Lazerito has a long absence to overcome but if he is fit and retains his old ability he can go close. Sasso won a maiden hurdle then disappointed when odds-on at Market Rasen. He clearly has ability and has place claims. Sesame Rambler was travelling well when falling last time out at Sandown. The Gary Moore-trained gelding is well-handicapped on his best form and represents the main danger to our choice, Kandjar d'Allier.
Grand Finale (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Mid-division, lost touch 7th, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Dangerously Good (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (B) gs in Dec '04, 11 ran.
Rainbows Aglitter 12-1 (11-4) Always behind, hit 2 out, 9th of 11, 29l behind Bob The Builder (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.
Lazerito (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) Led to after 1st, led again 8th, ridden clear after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, jumped left last, headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 15, 10l behind Naunton Brook (11-1) at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (E) gd in Mar '04.
Milligan (FR) 33-1 (11-3) With leader to 6th, weakened quickly, 6th of 10, 34l behind Andreas (11-7) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Feb.
Sesame Rambler (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway from 3 out, challenged and almost upsides when fell at the last in race won by Kipsigis (11-4) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft, 13 ran.
Sasso 3-1 (11-0) Held up last, not fluent 1st and 2nd, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 11, 47l behind Nippy Des Mottes (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Kandjar d'Allier (FR) 11-1 (10-4) Held up, hit 14th and next, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Ebony Light (9-13) at Haydock 3m hcp chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
King Georges (FR) 33-1 (10-6) Held up, hampered 7th, headway 9th, chased winner 3 out, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Alright Now M'Lad (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
