held up, headway to chase winner from 16th, no chance with winner from 3 out
prominent, hit 15th, weakened quickly 5 out, pulled up and dismounted before 3 out
held up, mistake 3rd, ridden 12th, behind from 17th
held up, headway 17th, ridden 5 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leader, led 9th, mistake 5 out, clear from 2 out, comfortably
mistakes, held up, headway 13th, ridden 5 out, weakened next
held up towards rear, some headway 17th, weakened 4 out
led, headed 9th, weakened 14th, tailed off and pulled up before 5 out
This promises to be a real slog and the vote just goes to El Hombre Del Rio, who is preferred to Major Blue and the reappearing Howdydoody. The last mentioned represents the stable of Paul Nicholls so has to be respected despite his long absence but the nine-year-old may not find it easy giving weight away all round in this ground and El Hombre Del Rio looks a safer bet. Robert Alner's gelding has conditions to suit and remains feasibly well treated. He makes more appeal than the Seamus Mullins-trained Our Jolly Swagman, who has given little sign of encouragement this term. Midnight Gunner has claims on his best but may not want the ground as soft as it is and of more interest is Major Blue. The 10-year-old is unexposed over fences but needs to brush up his jumping and a safer option looks to be El Hombre Del Rio.
Howdydoody (IRE) 5-1 Tracked leader, mistake 7th, ridden 12th, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Magical Bailiwick at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (C) sft in Jan '04.
Our Jolly Swagman 28-1 Mid-division, weakened 15th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Brave Spirit at Taunton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
El Hombre Del Rio (IRE) 12-1 Tracked leaders, lost place 5th, soon behind, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Kausse de Thaix at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft.
Midnight Gunner 33-1 In touch, pushed along before 12th, lost touch 17th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Joly Bey at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd, 9 ran.
Earl's Kitchen 16-1 Chased leader to 6th, soon lost place and behind, 6th of 8, 43l behind Liverpool Echo at Kempton 2m 4f beg chs (D) gs.
Major Blue 7-2 Held up, headway 9th, hit 10th, close up when fell 4 out in race won by Another Conquest at Towcester 3m beg chs (E) sft, 10 ran.
Lucky Leader (IRE) 17-2 Held up, poor 4th when mistake 17th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Philson Run at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft, 6 ran.
Glanamana (IRE) 13-2 Led, narrowly headed 12th to 14th, headed soon after 4 out, chased winner to 2 out, weakened quickly, 6th of 11, 17l behind News Maker at Kempton 3m cnd hcp chs 0-115 (E) gs.
