held up, headway approaching 8th, weakened approaching last
led early, chased leader until lost place after 5th, tailed off
in rear, headway 6th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, not extra from last
in rear, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, never on terms
held up mid-division, ridden after 3 out, headway approaching next, led last, hung left, driven out
soon led, headed 7th, led again after 3 out, headed last, every chance run-in, not quicken
mid-division, tailed off from 7th, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, no impression from next
chased leaders, blundered 5th and 6th, soon weakened, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, led 7th, headed after 3 out, weakened approaching next
held up behind, weakened from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, weakened from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, chased leaders after 5th, hit 3 out, weakened quickly before next
A very tricky handicap hurdle to end proceedings and we will give a narrow vote to Royal Coburg, Wild Chimes and Murat may provide most danger. Nigel Twiston-Davies is back amongst the winners and Royal Coburg has the right profile for this contest. He found the three miles on soft ground at Towcester last time testing his stamina, but had previously put in a sound display at Carlisle over two and a half miles. Today's ground and trip should be ideal and he looks the one to be on. Wild Chimes is returning from a long lay off but has strong claims on the pick of his past performances and is from a yard starting to return to form. Meanwhile Murat is steadily dropping down the weights and has to be given an each-way chance. In a pretty weak affair Lost Boy is another expected to go well at a big price, but in a race where stakes should be kept small, Royal Coburg is given the nod.
Sir Pandy (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Held up, headway from 6th, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 14, 17l behind Geeveem (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Royal Coburg (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (10-12) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 15, well behind Alfasonic (10-12) at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Montevideo 10-1 (10-0) Chased leaders until weakened after 5th, 12th of 15, 49l behind Acambo (10-9) at Windsor 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Dec.
Emmasflora 50-1 (10-1) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened 2 out, in 4th and beaten when blundered badly last, rider lost iron, 7th of 9, 16l behind Bold Fire (9-13) at Southwell 2m mrs hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Wild Chimes (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Turaath (11-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Mar, 13 ran.
Franco (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Made all, ridden and hit 2 out, challenged last, kept on well, won at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Dec beating Love Of Classics (11-12) by a nk, 10 ran.
Lost Boy (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Held up, some headway approaching 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, 8th of 14, 35l behind Supreme's Legacy (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 7f nh mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Midnight Gold 5-2 (10-11) Held up, hit 3rd, weakened before 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Brankley Boy (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Shady Baron (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Led, headed 3 out, soon outpaced, ridden, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Cash King (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Murat (FR) 9-1 (11-6) Towards rear and jumped right, headway 6th, weakened 7th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Excellent Vibes (11-4) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Jul, 14 ran.
It's Bertie 20-1 (11-0) With leader, led 3 out, headed after 3 out, weakening when blundered 2 out, 3rd of 14, 16l behind Waterloo Son (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f mdn hdl (F) gs in Dec.
Extra Smooth 6-1 (10-12) Led, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened from next, 4th of 14, 11l behind Scotmail (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) hvy in Dec.
Megapac (IRE) 5-2fav (10-10) Held up in rear, hampered 8th, soon tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Elfkirk (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Dev (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Led, ridden after 3 out, headed before next, no impression from before last, kept on, 2nd of 17, 6l behind Charlies First (10-13) at Thurles 2m mdn hdl gs in Mar.
