tracked leading pair, stumbled on bend after 10th, ridden and every chance after 3 out, held from next
jumped right, made virtually all, ridden and stayed on strongly from 2 out
led 2nd to 3rd, chased winner, ridden after 4 out, stayed on same pace from next
The presence of KICKS FOR FREE has seen off any of the meaningful opposition with Sound Accord put up as the most likely forecast option. This race has become a spectacular non-event and the sponsors have every right to be furious with a lack of a take up from trainers given the decent prize money. Kicks For Free has been a little disappointing this year after getting his campaign off to a decent start at Aintree. Nevertheless, at the official figures, this should be a soft opportunity to gain a confidence boost. Sound Accord is a previous winner at Fontwell. He was well beaten at Sandown last month but does have the obvious attraction of having performed creditably in small fields. Mount Sandel made all to win a three-runner event at the course earlier in the month. The standard of opposition is much tougher on this occasion. Kicks For Free is the pick.
Kicks For Free (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 9th, hit 3 out, chased winner 2 out, kept on flat, no impression, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Calgary Bay (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Mount Sandel (IRE) 4-6fav (10-9) Made all, drew well clear after 3 out, unchallenged, won at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (3) hvy beating Monzon (11-8) by 33l, 3 ran.
Sound Accord (IRE) 5-1 (10-4) Towards rear, headway 13th, jumped right 14th, weakened next, soon tailed off, 8th of 9, 41l behind Can't Buy Time (9-7) at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
