held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 9th, tailed off from 11th
chased leaders, weakened after 3 out
held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 11th, ridden and no impression from 2 out
held up towards rear, chased leaders from 5th, went 3rd after 4 out, one pace
held up towards rear, mistake and reminders after 2nd, hit next, reminders approaching 8th, never dangerous
in rear, blundered 6th, pushed along approaching 9th, soon weakened, blundered 5 out
with winner, led briefly from 4th, ridden and no impression on winner from 3 out
held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 10th, weakened 4 out
made virtually all, clear from after 3 out, easily
tracked leaders until approaching 5th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
One of the better races on the card where most of the leading players have to put a poor run behind them and the one who can do so to best effect is SAGALYRIQUE, while there is no shortage of willing opponents. The Alan King-trained selection looked very decent when landing a Taunton handicap chase in fine style back in December, but he then ran flat at Exeter next time when sent off favourite. He can go well fresh, so we hope that the short break will be ideal for him and he can score over this, his optimum trip. Le Roi Rouge fell too early last time to be able to tell how he would have handled his current mark of 124, to which he was raised after a Wetherby win in December. Even if he is over that, this faster ground won't be in his favour and we'll take him on. Salut Flo is an interesting British debutant whose French form is hard to equate, but there are enough wins to his name to suggest ability and if supported he would be very interesting. Sheriff Hutton goes well when there is good in the going description. He was in-form in the autumn, but has to put a dismal Kempton effort behind him today. Soulard has a solid, if unspectacular profile, while Professor Higgins has not been seen since October, but shouldn't be found wanting for fitness and acts well on a sound surface. He has to prove his stamina over this trip, and preference is for Sagalyrique.
Le Roi Rouge (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Held up, towards rear, pushed along approaching 6th, in touch when fell 5 out, in a race won by Fred Bojangals (10-5) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Feb, 7 ran.
Sheriff Hutton (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Led until 6th, mistake 11th, steadily weakened, 10th of 13, well behind Polyfast (10-12) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Professor Higgins (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Chased leading pair, pushed along approaching 4 out, driven and weakened 3 out, hung left after, 6th of 8, 14l behind Bible Lord (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct.
Sagalyrique (FR) 7-4fav (11-11) Held up in touch, weakened approaching last, 5th of 12, 23l behind Pavillon Bleu (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Sovereign King 10-1 (11-7) Mid-division on outside, headway 9th, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 5th of 17, 17l behind Sound Stage (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) sft in Dec.
Water Taxi 16-1 (11-12) In rear, pushed along 8th, weakened after 9th, 6th of 8, well behind Marrel (9-13) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Aug.
Soulard (USA) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, pecked 10th, not fluent and lost place next, struggling 13th, 7th of 11, 35l behind Sunnyhillboy (11-9) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
El Presidente (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Always behind, detached 4th, tailed off, last of 22, well behind Silk Affair (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (4yo) (1) gs in Mar '09.
Salut Flo (FR) 4-1 (10-12) won at Cagnes-sur-Mer(FR) 2m 3f chs hvy in Jan beating Regisseur (10-12) by 2l, 14 ran.
Kaldouas (FR) 11-1 (10-13) Led, not fluent 3rd, went left 5th, headed 7th, weakened approaching 4 out, 10th of 11, well behind Sunnyhillboy (11-9) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
