always behind, struggling from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
held up in touch, weakened from 12th
chased leader, led 3rd, headed 6th, weakened from 3 out
held up in touch, chased winner 4 out, no extra from last
fell 3rd
held up, headway 6 out, went 2nd last, kept on, no impression
led to 3rd, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
always behind, tailed off 4 out
tracked leaders, led 4 out, hit last, kept on well
held up, headway approaching 13th, chasing leaders in 3rd when hit last, one pace
chased leaders, ridden after 11th, weakened from 4 out
chased leaders, led 6th, headed 4 out, soon weakened
KING BARRY's party ain't over yet and he can complete his hat-trick, Kandjar D'Allier and The Dark Lord are two of several that appeal as challengers. King Barry races from a 10lb higher mark than when winning at Ayr but that form is rock solid with the runner-up, Jass, going on to win two of his next three starts. He appears to be versatile with regard to underfoot conditions and enjoys time between his races and can be expected to go close. Hot Weld and You're Special may need this, One Sniff and Church Island have questions to answer whilst Briery Fox and Cool Roxy enjoy little respite from the handicapper. Spring Lover has to be on the short-list but smart campaigners King Harald and Kandjar D'Allier may be the two to give the selection most to do. The former ran on well to win at this track around a year ago and didn't fare too badly at Cheltenham last time whilst Alan King's charge rolled back the years to win on his penultimate start but he has never won from a mark this high so we'll take King Barry to reign.
Hot Weld 6-1 (10-0) Mostly jump well, led to 5th, chased leader, reminder 13th and led soon after, made rest, 1 length ahead when left clear last, stayed on well, won at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gf in Apr '07 beating Reveillez (10-10) by 3l, 10 ran.
King Harald (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Slowly away, in rear, blundered 13th, hampered 16th, headway 4 out, soon ridden, beaten, no impression after 3 out, 5th of 13, 11l behind Rambling Minster (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan.
Kandjar d'Allier (FR) 13-2 (10-4) Led, headed after 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 10, 42l behind Cloudy Lane (11-10) at Haydock 3m hcp chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
One Sniff (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) Struggling 12th, always in rear, tailed off, 10th of 15, well behind Mon Mome (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Dec.
The Dark Lord (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Held up when blundered badly and unseated rider at the 12th in race won by Jass (10-9) at Doncaster 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Jan, 19 ran.
King Barry (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, led 4 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec beating Jass (11-1) by 1l, 9 ran.
Cool Roxy 20-1 (11-6) Led, headed after 3 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Little Shilling (10-8) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
You're Special (USA) 33-1 (10-13) Towards rear, hampered 3rd (chair), soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Gwanako (11-8) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 29 ran.
Church Island (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders early, mid-division halfway, weakened 6 out and pulled up 4 out in race won by Wheresben (10-7) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs sft in Dec, 28 ran.
Briery Fox (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) In rear, well behind and no chance when blundered 13th, 7th of 14, 27l behind Alright Now M'Lad (11-5) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Rare Society (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) With leader, led 3rd, headed next, left in lead again 6th, soon clear, ridden approaching last, rider dropped whip and headed final 100 yards, no extra, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Montevideo (11-11) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in J.
Spring Lover (FR) 15-2 (11-4) Led to 3rd, remained prominent, led 13th, ridden approaching last, headed close home, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Fresh Air And Fun (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
