with leader until led 6th, clear 3 out, comfortably
held up, pulled hard, mistake 9th, headway 12th, soon tracking winner, ridden, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, keen hold, blundered, unseated rider 5th
in touch, ridden 14th, soon beaten
soon tracking leaders, hit and lost place 12th, behind when pulled up 14th
led until 6th, lost place 11th
tracked leaders, slow 3rd, lost place 5th, behind when pulled up 14th
held up in touch, slow 8th, behind when pulled up before 15th
held up in touch, headway to track leader 8th, pushed along 14th, stayed on approaching last, no chance with winner
Calcot Flyer, Maletton and Bohemian Boy are three against the field in this competitive handicap chase and the vote is given to Calcot Flyer. The selection was a lucky winner last time out but he is sure to have come on for the run and, off what remains a fair mark under conditions that suit, he looks a value bet in an open affair. Maletton rates the main danger as he won well last time when beating Marjina but this looks tougher and he looks vulnerable under top weight. Bohamian Bay is another that could go well on his latest second behind the highly regarded New Little Bric; he again has conditions to suit and should be monitored in the market. Bumper was a fair sort at his best over hurdles and could improve for the switch to fences while Arumun is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but looks weighted up to his best and for the winner we return to Calcot Flyer.
Maletton (FR) 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, led 7th, made rest, well in command 2 out, stayed on well, won at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs beating Marjina (10-12) by 9l, 11 ran.
Arumun (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) In rear but tracking leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 4, well behind Some Touch (11-9) at Wetherby 2m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy.
Bumper (FR) 5-4fav (11-10) Took keen hold early, held up, headway after 7th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Helm (11-2) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Moonlit Harbour 16-1 (10-12) Led, headed 3rd, chased leader until 7th, led again 12th, headed next, ridden and stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Inch Pride (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Walcot Lad (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, behind when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Sha Bihan (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft, 9 ran.
Bohemian Boy (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Led to 6th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 2nd of 3, well behind New Little Bric (11-8) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Wicked Nice Fella (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) In touch, ridden 12th, mistake and weakened next, 6th of 8, 28l behind Herecomestanley (10-0) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Calcot Flyer 15-2 (11-1) Always prominent, mistake 3rd, led 13th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, 4lengths 2nd and held when left clear last, driven out, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in May beating Durlston Bay (11-7) by 18l, 10 ran.
New Perk (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Close up, ridden and lost place 8th, soon behind, 5th of 8, 39l behind Letitia's Loss (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
