held up, nudged along from 6th, ridden after 13th, went modest 3rd approaching 2 out, never trouble leaders
chased leaders, reminders 10th, ridden after 13th, weakened 3 out
close up, struggling 13th, went 2nd 3 out, no chance with winner
jumped right, made all, drew well clear from 15th, heavily eased run-in
close up, reminders after 11th, soon struggling, ran wide on bend, pulled up before 14th
chased winner, reminders after 6th, ridden after 13th, weakened after 3 out, mistake last
The Risky Viking is the recommendation in this affair with Paxford Jack and Mr Ed offered as alternatives. Nick Williams' team are in fair nick at the moment and his dour stayer looks the pick in an intriguing affair. The ability to stay should see him through as he has won at four miles in the past and he can cope with the likely ground conditions. Paxford Jack put up a below par effort at Fakenham last time out. This is a stronger race and there is likely to be no hiding place. Mr Ed looks to have lost the plot if his form figures are looked at in isolation. That said, those performances were in top handicaps and graded company and if this drop in sights works the oracle, he has the class to make it count. Yann's was a fortuitous second at Sandown on his most recent start. He has been beaten off this mark on a couple of occasions and appears to be paying the penalty for his consistency at hitting the frame. Squires Lane landed a gamble at Leicester despite some agricultural fencing. Andy Turnell's yard are going great guns so it would be no surprise to see him go well. Dunbell Boy is hard to fancy. The Risky Viking looks to have fewest negatives and is put forward as the selection.
Mr Ed (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Mid-division, ridden and struggling 14th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Tango Royal (10-3) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs, 13 ran.
The Risky Viking (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Behind, some headway 5 out, 5th and beaten when blundered 2 out, never on terms, 6th of 18, 37l behind Comply Or Die (11-12) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp chs (2) gs in Feb.
Yann's (FR) 8-1 (10-13) Held up in last pair, ridden after 16th, distant 4th 3 out, left 3rd next, took 2nd soon after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Mokum (10-11) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Feb.
Squires Lane (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Made all, blundered and left clear 2 out, jumped right last, eased towards finish, won at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating Ouragan De Prairie (11-2) by 8l, 9 ran.
Paxford Jack 6-4fav (9-13) Tracked leader, led 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Romany Dream (10-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Dunbell Boy (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up at the 10th in race won by Flying Falcon (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f beg chs (4) gs in Feb, 16 ran.
