held up well in rear, steady headway before 4 out, chased leading trio after 4 out, effort and switched right approaching last, driven and one pace flat
chased leader, challenged 2 out, quickened to lead on long run from last
chased leading trio, went 3rd before 4 out, challenged on outside 2 out, weakened on long run from last
took keen hold, led, hit 6th, went right 2 out, blundered last, headed and not qucken flat
chased leading pair until before 4 out, soon struggling in rear
Four of the six runners hold live claims but marginal preference is for BAKBENSCHER. The selection hails from the in-form Alan King yard and has the ability to make further progress over fences although he will need to brush up on his jumping if he's to do so. That has to be a major concern for his chances today but he may find this track a little easier to negotiate than Warwick where he came to grief last time and is given the chance to get back on track. The handicapper received a volley from the owner of Nomecheki for the treatment he dished out to the fragile eight year old following his narrow success at Plumpton so it's no great surprise to see connections opt to carry a penalty in this company rather than take a chance in a handicap. He is open to improvement but will need to find some in order to get the best of these rivals. Great Endeavour has been a progressive performer but he disappointed at Fontwell on his most recent outing and has something to prove as a consequence; the track may not have helped to show him in his best light and he could well bounce back. Chariot Charger came close to lowering the colours of Bensalem on his chase bow but he was readily brushed aside by The Nightingale last time. None of his rivals are in that class and he receives weight from all of the principals so it's reasonable to expect a bold show with the yard going well but the vote's awarded to Bakbenscher.
Nomecheki (FR) 3-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, smooth headway after 3 out, led and going well approaching 2 out when stumbled and headed soon after, regained lead towards finish, won at Plumpton 2m 1f nov stks (3) sft in Jan beating I Have Dreamed (11-4) by shd, 5 ran.
Bakbenscher 9-4fav (11-4) Held up in 5th, not fluent 7th, blundered and unseated rider 9th, in a race won by The Hollinwell (11-4) at Warwick 2m 4f nov stks (3) sft in Jan, 6 ran.
Great Endeavour (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leader, jumped left 8th, led approaching 11th, headed approaching 3 out, 1 length down last, emptied quickly and lost 2nd flat, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 5, 15l behind Over Sixty (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov stks (3) sft in Jan.
Chariot Charger (IRE) 15-8 (11-0) Led, headed approaching 3 out, no chance with winner from 2 out, held on for 2nd, 2nd of 5, 16l behind The Nightingale (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chase (4) sft in Jan.
Master Darcy 66-1 (11-1) In touch, 2nd when stumbled on landing, unseated rider 9th, in a race won by Awesome George (10-12) at Ascot 2m 5f beg chs (3) gd in Nov, 7 ran.
Lupanar (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, lost place and blundered 5th, chased winner from 3 out, every chance from next, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 3, nk behind Song Sung Blue (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f beg chase (4) sft in Jan.
