tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, went 2nd 4 out, led next, headed 2 out, soon driven, stayed on under pressure to lead again towards finish
held up, jumped slowly 1st, not much room, mistake and riders iron broke 4th, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, fell 7th
held up, hampered 7th, behind next, jumped left 9th and 10th, closed 4th, 4th and no impression when blundered 3 out, weakened
tracked leader 1st, led 10th, headed 3 out, led 2 out, driven flat, headed towards finish
led until 10th, weakened before 3 out
held up, not always fluent, stumbled after jumping big 5th, closed 7th, stayed on same pace from 3 out, held by front pair
Ivans Back won on this card 12 months ago and still hadn't been asked a serious question when falling at Towcester last time but this looks a better race. Tiquer dotted up at Uttoxeter in March but isn't exactly reliable and neither is Great Link. Kayfton Pete won over 2m1f here in April and was then only beaten a length-and-a-quarter over 2m at Kempton, though has been raised another 2lb since. FIGARO weakened off the home turn on his chasing bow at Southwell but that experience will have done him the world of good. He's well treated on his form over hurdles and can land this ahead of veteran Mister Wiseman.
Great Link 11-2 (11-8) Chased winner until mistake 3rd, pushed along before 5 out, blundered 2 out, soon weakened, last of 5, well behind Plus Jamais (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Mar.
Figaro 14-1 (10-6) With leaders, in 4th and weakened from 3 out, 4th of 6, 18l behind Gray Hession (11-4) at Southwell 2m 4f nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Kayfton Pete 2-1fav (11-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, challenged 3 out, carried left before next, driven flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Agapanthus (11-2) at Kempton 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Tiquer (FR) 9-2 (10-3) Chased leaders, led 4 out, mistake 3 out, clear next, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Mar beating Pret A Thou (11-8) by 12l, 7 ran.
Kitegen (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Mid-division, tracked leaders 8th, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before last, 6th of 9, 38l behind Saddlers Deal (9-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Mister Wiseman 6-1 (10-10) Led, headed 9th, rallied next, weakened after 4 out, last of 6, well behind Favoured Nation (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.
Ivans Back (IRE) 7-4fav (11-3) Took keen hold, tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd approaching 4th, travelling well when fell 7th, in a race won by Beauchamp Viking (10-2) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) gf in Apr, 5 ran.
