led, not fluent 1st, soon headed, raced in close 2nd, led again 4 out, soon headed, stayed on pressing, led after 2 out, stayed on gamely, flat
took keen hold tracking leaders, lost touch approaching 6th, tailed off
held up, in touch, took closer order 7th, ridden after 2 out, weakened last
led after 1st, headed 4 out, soon led again, headed after 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on flat
chased leaders, ridden approaching 8th, weakened 2 out
Elgar, Eborarry and Stormy Beech look the main protagonists in this handicap chase and the vote is given to Elgar. The selection won in game fashion last time out when beating Dalraith. That form has since been franked and despite his penalty he is taken to win again with the ground in his favour. Eborarry rates the main danger as he will also like conditions but he often finds less than expected off the bridle and at the likely odds he is taken on. Stormy Beech is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he looks in the grip of the handicapper at present. Vigoureux is on a handy mark but has shown little of late while Dalriath's best form is on a faster surface. This looks a good opportunity for Elgar who is taken to land the prize.
Elgar 4-1 (11-12) Led early, prominent, led after 7th, hung left approaching last, all out, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan beating Dalriath (10-4) by 1l, 7 ran.
Stormy Beech 5-2 (10-6) Led until headed after 3rd, led again 8th to 9th, weakened 3 out, last of 4, 35l behind Mr Prickle (11-3) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Eborarry (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (11-6) Held up, blundered 8th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Offemont (11-12) at Warwick 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Dalriath 150-1 (9-7) Behind when unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Flying Enterprise (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (2) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Vigoureux (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, hit 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 29l behind Karathaena (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.