behind, slow 9th, weakened 15th, soon beaten
led until 10th, led again 12th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened next
held up towards rear, mistakes throughout, pushed along 3 out, weakened last
fell 1st
in touch, under pressure 15th, chased leaders 3 out, no extra closing stages
tracked leader, prominent, led 10th, headed 12th, ridden to lead after 4 out, soon headed, outpaced next, stayed on well closing stages, no chance with winner
chased leaders, driven to lead 3 out, drew clear next, held on well, all out
Roberto Goldback has found a new lease of life under Nicky Henderson but the handicapper looks to have him firmly in his grip at present while Mister Hyde will need a career-best effort if he is to complete the hat-trick having been raised another 13lb since scoring at Kempton over Christmas, though subsequent Kempton winner Brackloon High was behind that day. KEPPOLS HILL lacks the experience of his rivals but bounced back from a fall at Exeter to land the odds with a bit in hand at Chepstow. He makes his handicap debut on a fair mark and, as this stiff track should play to his strengths, gets the nod today as Welsh National failure Viking Blond will ensure there is no hanging about. On Trend looks held on the book while Summery Justice returns from a lengthy absence.
Roberto Goldback (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Raced wide, held up in rear, went 4th after 9th, ridden 4 out, left modest 3rd 3 out, trying to close when mistake and weakened 2 out, finished tired, 3rd of 6, 39l behind Wyck Hill (10-0) at Ascot 3m listed hcp chs (1) hvy in Dec.
Mister Hyde (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Pressed leader, jumped left at times, led 2nd until 3rd, led before 10th, hit 13th, clear 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) hvy in Dec beating Iona Days (10-6) by 6l, 8 ran.
Brackloon High (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) In touch, headway to chase leaders 9th, challenging in 2nd wehn went right and bumped 3 out, led soon after, driven clear between last 2, won at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan beating On Trend (11-1) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Keppols Hill (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Made all, ridden after 11th, not fluent 2 out, pressed last, stayed on well to forge clear final 100 yards, won at Chepstow 3m beg chase (4) hvy in Jan beating Arthurian Legend (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Summery Justice (IRE) 4-1fav (11-1) Mid-division, headway 6th, not fluent 9th, blundered next, went 2nd 13th, led last, driven out, won at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Apr beating Cottage Oak (10-13) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Viking Blond (FR) 8-1 (10-7) Prominent, jumped slowly 11th, mistake next, weakened approaching 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Monbeg Dude (10-1) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Jan, 17 ran.
On Trend (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Led until approaching 4th, pressed leader, led again before 10th, blundered and reminder 11th, narrowly headed next, chased leader and ridden before 3 out dropped to 3rd and mistake 3 out, rallied to 2nd again flat, kept on flat, always held, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Brackloon High (10-9) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan.