led, headed 2nd, stayed prominent, left in lead 11th, clear 3 out, easily
tracked leaders, led 6th until unseated rider 11th
in touch, chased leading pair 14th, tracked winner 16th, weakened 2 out, blundered last
in touch, left 3rd 11th, ridden and headway 3 out, took 2nd 2 out
in rear, fell 9th
mid-division, pulled up before 6th and dismounted
in rear, mistake 11th, continued
not jumped well, hampered 9th, behind when pulled up before 15th
led 2nd, headed 6th, held from 3 out
An awful race and you'd be best advised to concentrate on trying to find a Cheltenham winner, but if you must have a bet then you could do worse than HUGO WOLF, who gets the nod ahead of Well Saved. The selection has winning form at the track, so there are no problems on that score, and trainer Alan King has his runners in great nick, which is a plus given that his gelding has been off the track for well over a year. This quicker ground will also be a plus and although King pitches him into a handicap for his chasing debut it is such a poor race that we shouldn't run scared. Well Saved is another who will enjoy the decent ground and stays well. He has the ability to get closely involved but has a bit to prove judged on recent efforts. Nagam has plenty of stamina provided conditions are good and he won a chase at Fontwell on that going description in November. He looks to have just gone off the boil but if warming up again he can go close. Autumn Red responds well to blinkers and if returning to something like his best he'd have a squeak, but with little else appealing we'll side with Hugo Wolf.
Nagam (FR) 16-1 (10-6) Rear, blundered and rider lost iron 5th, plugged on from 2 out, 7th of 15, 42l behind Quattrocento (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Autumn Red (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Prominent, led 4th to 5th, remained handy until ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Ultimate Limit (10-12) at Ludlow 3m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Lahinch Lad (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden after 8th, soon weakened, 8th of 16, well behind Quillygham (11-5) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Feb.
Toni Alcala 7-1 (9-7) Chased leading pair, ridden and went right 8th, weakened 3 out, mistake next, 5th of 6, 37l behind Cool Roxy (11-9) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Hugo Wolf (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) In touch, ridden after 8th, soon weakened, 11th of 19, well behind Amber Brook (10-9) at Exeter 2m 6f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec '07.
Touch of Fate 9-2 (11-7) Held up well in rear, ridden and struggling 10th, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Jimmy Tennis (11-12) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov '06.
Lescer's Lad 28-1 (10-0) Towards rear, hit 4th, some headway from 4 out, no impression, 6th of 11, 27l behind Ballyvaden (11-9) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Born West (USA) 66-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, hit 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, well behind Ross Leader (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f amt hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Log On Intersky (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) Led to 4th, pushed along after 5th, blundered next, struggling from 7th, 6th of 12, well behind Ross Leader (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f amt hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Well Saved (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Prominent, led 5th, hit 13th and 4 out, soon headed, mistakes 3 out and 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 13, 15l behind Ultimate Limit (10-12) at Ludlow 3m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
