disputed lead, led outright after 6th, joined for lead next, headed before 8th where jumped to dispute lead, soon headed, pushed along approaching 4 out, disputed lead approaching 2 out, slight mistake last where headed, ran on, not match winner
close up, lost position after 8th, soon driven and detached, pulled up before 3 out
in touch in rear, headway after 8th, pushed along before 4 out, soon outpaced
disputed lead, headed after 6th, disputed lead next, led before 8th, soon joined for lead before leading outright, pushed along after 3 out, disputed lead next, slight error last but landed running to lead, kept on gamely, always doing enough
The veteran six-times winner Bennys King was racing in hunter-chases last season, finishing second in the Foxhunters at Aintree on his final start, and missed a race at Fontwell yesterday for this. SIR PSYCHO, three-times a winner over hurdles, fell on his chasing debut at year ago but made no mistake in an Ascot handicap last month and a 7lb rise is unlikely to prevent a follow-up. Honneur D‘Ajonc has only won once over fences but has been quite highly tried and is probably better than form figures suggest. Stormy Flight has not made progress from landing a Taunton handicap in February.
Sir Psycho (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd going well between last two, quickened to lead last, soon clear, won at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Passing Well (11-3) by 4l, 9 ran.
Bennys King (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Raced keenly, prominent, hit 7th, weakened and behind 13th, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out, at Warwick 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Honneur D'Ajonc (FR) 14-1 (12-0) Led, headed before 4th but prominent, slow jump 6th, pushed along and lost position after 3 out, detached when pulled up before 2 out, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Stormy Flight (IRE) 18-1 (11-11) Led, mistake and headed 4th, chased leaders on inside, pushed along after 13th, weakened after next, 6th of 12, 16l behind Huelgoat (11-10) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
