held up in rear, ridden 12th, jumped left 4 out, stayed on from next, went 3rd flat
chased leaders, hit 10th, went 2nd 12th, every chance when blundered 4 out, weakened after next
held up in rear, good headway approaching 13th, jumped badly left next, soon beaten
led, jumped right 5th, blundered 11th, pressed and kept on well from 4 out, no extra and headed near finish
chased leader until 12th, weakened next, tailed off
held up in rear, blundered 3rd and 6th, headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, chased leader last, stayed on flat to lead near finish
jumped right and always behind
behind, hit 2nd, struggling 9th
behind, hit 14th, stayed on from next, not pace to troubled leaders
A drop in trip may suit Herecomestanley however preference is for the progressive DANTE'S STORM ahead of Kaldouas. Philip York's seven-year-old has a different profile to many of his rivals and this young(ish) improving gelding can win again. Having been prolific between the flags of late, he was last seen winning at Folkestone. The second, Shillingstone, has run well in defeat since and he can win again. On official ratings there isn't much between Herecomestanley and Kaldouas, but we see the main danger as Kaldouas. Formerly trained by Paul Nicholls, he comes here on the back of a fair effort behind The Big Breakfast at Sandown. That form looks just modest and whilst he likes the ground and is entitled to improve for the run (fell time before), he still looks worth opposing. Herecomestanley ran over an extended trip at Fontwell last time and stamina is not really seen as a major strong-point with him. He does however have a good strike-rate (won 10 times and placed 16 from 55 starts) and is high on any shortlist. The market may help guide to the chances of the others, with the teenager Merchants Friend of some interest, but it is Dante's Storm who is nominated.
Herecomestanley 10-3 (12-3) In touch, ridden after 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 6, 28l behind Royal Auclair (11-11) at Fontwell 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd in Feb.
Kaldouas (FR) 11-2 (12-4) In touch, went 3rd 14th, hit 3 out, lost 3rd before next, weakened flat, 4th of 8, 11l behind The Big Breakfast (11-3) at Sandown 3m hts chs (4) gd.
Caislean Na Deirge (IRE) 33-1 (12-4) In touch, lost place 11th, soon weakened and pulled up 3 out in race won by Nobody Tells Me (11-7) at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (5) gs in Feb, 12 ran.
Dante's Storm 8-15fav (11-11) Led 2nd, made rest, in command when hit last, ridden out towards finish, won at Folkestone 2m 5f mdn hts chs (6) gs in Feb beating Shillingstone (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Lindsay (FR) 9-2 (11-11) Always in rear, continued for poor 4th, 4th of 8, well behind Who Else Knew (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 5f hts chs (6) sft.
Brer Bear 4-1 (11-0) Hdwy 10; chsd wnr 3 out; kpt on, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Bravery Scotch (11-0) at Horseheath 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Give It Holly (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Nvr nrr, 4th of 12, 15l behind Casey Tiles (11-7) at Llanfrynach 3m ptp gd.
Hautclan (FR) 7-2 (12-0) Mid-division, lost place 8th and pulled up at the 9th in race won by Who Else Knew (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 5f hts chs (6) sft, 8 ran.
Merchants Friend (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Held up, ridden and outpaced 5 out, staying on and close up when unseated rider 3 out in race won by Take The Stand (11-13) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd in May, 6 ran.
