led until not fluent 5th, led before next until headed approaching 7th where bumped, lost place 9th, weakened from next, tailed off
in rear, pushed along after 5th, ridden 9th, outpaced next, stayed on approaching 2 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner
always prominet, not much room 7th, soon led, clear 2 out, not fluent last, ran on well
held up towards rear, fell 4th
tracked leaders, led 5th until before next, led and jumped left 7th, soon headed, hit 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon weakened, drifted right flat
pressed leader, cajoled along from 2nd, lost place and ridden 5th, soon behind, tailed off
held up in rear, dived at 1st, headway after 6th, chased winner when mistake and rider lost iron briefly 2 out, lost 2nd and soon weakened,
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden 10th, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, headway after 8th, chased winner 10th until not fluent 2 out, soon left 2nd again until weakened approaching last
Nonrunner
KEEPHOLDIN is the form pick in this race as a repeat of his last run should be enough to land this handicap hurdle in front of Herald Angel and English Jim. Perhaps having been caught out by a too sharper test last time the selection should show the same form when winning over a comparable distance with something to spare too starts ago. Given that piece of form he's still under a competitive burden so he looks worth chancing again. Herald Angel returned from a near two year absence to win when upped to three miles and a furlong for the first time. It was a facile victory that suggested he'll stay at least this far and he should be able to build on that now fitter for the experience. English Jim is the only one proven over this trip having got up over course and distance earlier in his career. He's not the force he was then but off a career low mark he has to be taken into consideration. Sir Punjabi was expected to go better last time and he may improve for a step up in trip but Keepholdin has good claims and we'll given him another chance.
Acosta 20-1 (10-13) In rear, mistake 1st, well behind 6th, tailed off when blundered next, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Whitewater Dash (11-4) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd, 15 ran.
Konigsbote (GER) 25-1 (11-8) Towards rear, ridden after 6th, headway when not fluent 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 15, 18l behind Another Miracle (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Feb.
Herald Angel (FR) 28-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 9th, led 3 out, came clear before 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Feb beating Monsieur Cadou (11-7) by 5l, 15 ran.
Ocheekobee (IRE) 200-1 (11-3) Held up, weakened 4 out, 12th of 14, well behind Bostons Angel (11-13) at Doncaster 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gs in Jan.
Sir Punjabi 5-1fav (11-3) Took keen hold, in rear, blundered badly and rider lost iron briefly 3rd, not recover, pulled up after 7th, in a race won by Wherrimon (11-7) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-85 (5) gd in Feb, 14 ran.
Zimbabwe (FR) 25-1 (11-7) Prominnet, struggling 13th, no chance when mistake 2 out, 6th of 14, 30l behind Wherrimon (11-7) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-85 (5) gd in Feb.
Keepholdin (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, hit 4th, chased leaders approaching 4 out, every chance 2 out, soon no impression, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Walls Way (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
English Jim (IRE) 15-2 (9-13) Mid-division, headway approaching 8th, struggling 3 out, plugged on from next, 4th of 13, 28l behind Paktol Des Brosses (10-9) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Feb.
Tanktastic 17-2 (9-9) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 18, 25l behind Captain Smoothy (10-3) at Exeter 2m 5f 4yo Am hcp 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Osokenda 25-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, weakened 8th, well behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Viking Blond (10-13) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb, 17 ran.
