took keen hold, led from 1st, clear approaching 2 out, went right last, eased towards finish
tracked leaders, took keen hold, well held from 3 out
led until 1st, prominent, mistake 6th, not fluent and reminders 7th, pecked 9th, well held after hitting 3 out
held up, headway 5th, chased winner 8th, mistake next, close up brielfy after 3 out, no impression approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, last and pushed along 5th, slow and reminders 7th, not fluent 10th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
Veteran Kinkeel is capable of going close if in the mood and is 4lb lower than when a close third over a shorter trip at Towcester last time. But we'll stick with HUMBEL TIMES, who is getting his act together over fences judged on his victory at Sedgefield last month and has infinitely more scope. Whatcanyasay will struggle to reverse recent form with the selection and it's difficult to make a case for any of the others on what they've shown so far.
Ajzal (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Led, headed after 4 out, weakened next, pulled up after 2 out, in a race won by Phar Again (10-13) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
Kinkeel (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) Prominent, ridden after 7th, lost place next, stayed on flat, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Beauchamp Viking (10-4) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Humbel Times (IRE) 9-1 (10-2) Towards rear, pushed along after 8th, headway under pressure after 3 out, went 3rd between last 2, went 2nd last, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, won going away, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-85 (5) sft in Mar beating Yes Mate (9-11) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Masterpoint 20-1 (9-11) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, never on terms, weakened next, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Sail And Return (11-5) at Stratford 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
Whatcanyasay 25-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5th until 8th, went 2nd again approaching 10th, led 12th, ridden and joined 2 out, headed soon after, lost 2nd last, faded flat, 4th of 11, 12l behind Humbel Times (10-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-85 (5) sft in Mar.
Photogenique (FR) 80-1 (10-11) Towards rear, reminders after 5th, soon struggling, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Samizdat (10-5) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Mar.