held up in 3rd, improved to challenge 8th, every chance when hit 4 out, beaten last, one pace
pressed leader, led 2nd, not fluent 6th, ridden after 2 out, in command last, stayed on well
led until 2nd, pressed winner until after 9th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
took keen hold, held up in 4th, shaked up after 9th, went 3rd approaching 4 out, no impression
First Point and KING EDMUND are the two to concentrate on and we fancy Chris Gordon's charge to gain a confidence boosting success with Viper and Wessex King booked for minor roles with clear rounds. Viper has concentrated on the summer game since running out a ready winner of a handicap hurdle from a mark of 113 in 2008 but has been found a pretty tough race in which to make his chase debut. Wessex King found that the handicapper had his measure following a win in a maiden hurdle at Taunton and may enjoy more joy in this sphere but he faces two useful rivals here. First Point has mixed chasing and hurdling to good effect this season and ran a blinder to finish sixth in the totesport trophy last time but he could be worth taking on with King Edmund. Chris Gordon's stable star's last run is best ignored as he just overjumped the first at Sandown whilst at Warwick prior to that he had paid the price for trying to match strides with Long Run. He could build up a sizeable advantage if allowed to bowl along in front and King Edmund could prove hard to peg back.
First Point (GER) 40-1 (10-5) In touch, challenged and every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 23, 11l behind Get Me Out Of Here (10-6) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Feb.
King Edmund 17-2 (11-4) Disputed lead until fell 1st, in a race won by Tchico Polos (11-8) at Sandown 2m nov chs (3) gd, 5 ran.
Viper 40-1 (10-6) Chased leader, lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 16th of 17, well behind Mamlook (10-1) at Ascot 2m 3f Ltd hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan.
Wessex King (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Pulled hard, held up towards rear, ridden and no headway after 3 out, 9th of 12, 17l behind Dani's Girl (9-9) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct.
