with leader and keen, led 9th, joined when bad mistake 4 out, weakened 2 out
towards rear, mistake 12th, behind from 14th
in touch when pulled up 15th (lame)
led, headed 9th, weakened 15th, pulled up approaching 4 out
in touch, blundered 7th, ridden and weakened 17th
held up, jumped left 13th, headway 15th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, not fluent 2 out, all out to lead close home
mid-division, headway 8th, joined leaders, challenged leader and led 4 out, ridden 3 out, headed close home
mid-division, weakened 14th
Nonrunner
On The Outside, Key Phil and Iceberge are three against the field in this wide open handicap chase with the narrow nomination going to On The Outside. The selection won well last time out when beating Bob Ar Aghaidh and although having a penalty for that win he won in the style of an improver and under similar conditions here he is taken to defy the handicapper. Key Phil rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating Navarone but he has a penalty for that win and as he is unproven over a trip this far at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Iceberge is another worthy of respect as he won well last time out when beating Jiver but he looks to have plenty of weight in this handicap and is opposable on that basis. Of the remainder The Bandit has two ways of running so can not be put forward with any confidence while Dancer Life looks weighted up to his best and with this in mind for the winner we return to the progressive On The Outside.
Key Phil (FR) 7-2 (12-0) Chased leader to 3 out, led last, ridden out, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Navarone (11-1) by 16l, 7 ran.
Dancer Life (POL) 16-1 (11-11) Raced wide, chased leaders until ridden 4 out, weakened next, 9th of 22, 26l behind Hot Weld (11-11) at Cheltenham 4m 1f nov amt chs (2) gd in Mar.
Ken'tucky (FR) 20-1 (10-8) Rear, headway 15th to take closer order, ridden and one pace from 3 out, 5th of 17, 18l behind Sweet Diversion (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
On The Outside (IRE) 9-4 (10-5) Tracked leaders, led 15th, hit next, ridden out, won at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (D) gd in Oct beating Bob Ar Aghaidh (10-12) by 5l, 5 ran.
Iceberge (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) In touch, tracked leader from 8th, led 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, hung left approaching last but kept on, won at Stratford 3m beg chs (D) gd in Oct beating Jiver (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Zaffamore (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Held up, lost touch after 17th, stayed on from 3 out, went 4th flat, 4th of 9, 7l behind Elenas River (11-4) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Tribal Dancer (IRE) 5-1co-fav (11-7) Soon prominent, lost place 11th, mistake and weakened next, tailed off when pulled up befor 2 out, 5th of 10, well behind Calcot Flyer (11-1) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
The Bandit (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) In touch, last place after 6th, tailed off when pulled up at the 9th in race won by Sir Rembrandt (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf, 8 ran.
