with leader, mistake and dropped to rear 6th, reminder next, outpaced 4 out, stayed on under pressure to chase leading pair between last 2, no impression
led, blundered 8th, soon headed, chased winner until lost place approaching 2 out, lost 3rd and weakened between last 2
tracked leading pair, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, no impression with winner
held up 4th and last but in touch, went 2nd 6th, led after 8th, made rest, ridden clear between last 2, ran on well
Nonrunner
Line Artic has been running well of late, losing no caste in defeat behind Woolcombe Folly in a decent novices chase at Cheltenham recently having won a novice handicap at Kempton the time before, and she has every chance off a mark of 127 but it is hard to get away from PRINCE DES MARAIS, who looks the one to beat and gets the vote with Huguenot rated the pick of the remainder. The selection comes into this in good from having won each of his last two starts in good fashion, latterly when easily accounting for his opponents at Towcester last week and a 7lb penalty for that success may not prevent him from following up. Tyup Pompey showed signs of a return to form at Ludlow last time but needs to improve to get involved at the business end of the race and of more interest may be Richard Lee's Almaydan, who is not as good as he looked like being but is still capable of fair form on his day and he has to be respected on ground conditions that suit having been given a chance by the handicapper. The Philip Hobbs-trained Huguenot ran better last time and has claims but Prince des Marais has an obvious chance and looks the one to beat.
Almaydan 9-2 (11-12) Raced on inside, led 3rd, 4 lengths clear next, ridden and headed 4 out, outpaced next, rallied flat, 3rd of 4, 3l behind Herons Well (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Mar.
Line Artic (FR) 13-2 (11-1) Led, hung right under pressure approaching 2 out, ridden and headed flat, kept on, always held, 2nd of 3, 1l behind Woolcombe Folly (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (2) gd.
Huguenot (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Behind, headway 3 out, soon hard driven to challenge, never on terms, 7th of 17, 16l behind Exulto (11-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Tyup Pompey (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Prominent, hit 4th and reminder, not fluent 8th or next, lost place after 11th, hit 2 out, stayed on flat, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Warpath (11-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf.
Prince Des Marais (FR) 13-8fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, led going well after 3 out, clear approaching last, easily, won at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf beating Tooka (10-12) by 17l, 4 ran.
