in touch, headway approaching 8th, ridden after 4 out, chased winner 2 out, no extra when lost 2nd run-in
held up, pecked 8th, never dangerous
soon struggling in rear, tailed off from 5th
made all, hit 7th, jumped right from next, well clear 4 out, unchallenged
jumped badly right throughout, chased winner, ridden after 4 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, headway and mistake 7th, ridden after 4 out, weakened
held up, headway approaching 8th, hit 9th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on to go 2nd run in, no chance with winner
chased leaders until 7th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up after 4 out
Walcot Lad should take plenty of beating in this amateur riders' handicap chase, with Barnards Green and Isam Top rated as the main dangers. The selection is dropped in trip after disappointing at Fakenham, and as he had previously won comfortably over this course and distance he is difficult to overlook here. Barnards Green and Isam Top were both disappointing last time, but Barnards Green did make a bad blunder in that race which put pay to his chances. Both will need to improve to trouble our selection but Isam Top does have the capable Justin Morgan in the plate here. Kitimat would be another to consider if he could get round, but he is far from reliable, and for the winner we return to Walcot Lad.