After Aspen is well treated but needs to refine his jumping technique after a slipshod run around here last time and CHIC NAME is preferred. He'll find this a very different experience to his latest start when a commendable sixth in the Cross-Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, prior to which he'd finished third to Elegant Escape and Ramses De Teillee at Exeter. There is nothing of that calibre here and he makes considerable appeal. Sam Red has a course and distance win to his name but has disappointed in a major way the last twice and Holbrook Park, also a winner over course and distance, is far from straightforward but would have a chance on a going day.
Sam Red (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Kept wide most of way, held up behind, headway and in touch 3rd, reminders after 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind Jeannot De Nonant (11-10) at Southwell 3m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Chic Name (FR) 100-1 (11-4) Prominent, driven to chase winner after 3 out, ridden and lost place between last 2, no chance with front trio before last, lost 4th near finish, 5th of 16, 17 3/4l behind Tiger Roll (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 6f (2) sft in Mar.
Holbrook Park 15-8 (12-7) Never fluent, tracked leading pair, 2nd briefly and squeezed out 8th, rallied on outside to lead 3 out headed approaching the last, wandered and weakened badly run-in, last of 4, 19 1/4l behind Master Burbidge (12-0) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
After Aspen (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Led, mistakes 2nd and 3rd, soon headed, remained prominent, under pressure 4 out, kept on under pressure closing stages, 3rd of 4, 15 1/2l behind Enjoy Responsibly (11-9) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
