tracked leader, challenged and not fluent last, ridden to lead run-in, kept on well
in rear, struggling from 6 out
tracked leaders, weakened before 4 out
led, challenged last, headed run-in, kept on and held
Carlisle second Ifandbutwhynot has the beating of Bonzo Bing but is going to have to improve his jumping if he's to score over fences so we fancy THREE KINGDOMS (NAP) to give away the weight. John Ferguson's gelding won three times over hurdles before the end of December last season and made an immediate impact over the larger obstacles when scoring at Leicester, beating a couple of potentially useful novices in the process. Dark Dune travelled strongly at Wetherby last time until stopped in his tracks by a mistake three out. A versatile sort, he'll be winning when he gets his act together.
Three Kingdoms (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Mostly tracked leader, challenged 2 out, led flat, quickened clear, won at Leicester 2m beg chs (3) gs in Nov beating Thomas Crapper (11-0) by 3l, 6 ran.
Bonzo Bing (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 7th, outpaced from next, well beaten after 4 out, went 4th flat, 4th of 9, 8l behind Grate Fella (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) gd.
Dark Dune (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, mistake 4th, headway 5 out, travelling strongly tracking leaders 3 out, effort next, keeping on same pace when mistake last, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Top Gamble (11-1) at Wetherby 2m nov chs (4) sft in Nov.
Ifandbutwhynot (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, tracked leading pair 3rd, went 2nd 2 out (normal 4 out), driven along and no impression bypassing 2 out, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Yorkist (11-0) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) sft in Nov.