held up in rear, not fluent 10th, mistake 12th, plugged on from 4 out, left poor 3rd 2 out
tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd 7th, went 2nd 11th, led 3 out, about 2 lengths clear when blundered next, soon recovered and in command, driven out
soon tracked leaders until 7th, stayed close up until weakened 4 out
led, dived at 8th, steadied 11th, mistake 12th, weakening when mistake next
held up, struggling from 8th, tailed off when blundered 13th, pulled up after next
tracked leader, led 11th (water), headed 2 out, hanging and kept on reluctantly, run-in
hit 3rd, behind, headway 12th, chased leading pair 4 out, ridden 3rd and no chance when finally unseated rider after 2 out
Alphabetical, Nice Try and Bannister Lane are the three for the shortlist in this novices' handicap chase and the vote is given to Alphabetical. The selection could not have been any more impressive than when beating some seasoned rivals in a handicap chase at Fontwell last time. He returns to novice grade here and off what looks a fair mark he should take all the beating. Nice Try rates the main danger on his win at Warwick back in January but he has since disappointed at Wincanton. He fell that day but was well-held at the time and for that reason he looks worth taking on here. Bannister Lane won well when beating Simon at Haydock last time but this drop in trip is not likely to play to his strengths and he looks opposable over this distance. King Coal will make a bold bid from the front and he looks to have place prospects, but for the winner we will stick with Alphabetical.
Alphabetical (IRE) 13-2 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway and chased leader after 8th, jumped well 11th, soon led, quickened clear 3 out, stumbled last, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan beating Walcot Lad (10-2) by 17l, 7 ran.
Nice Try (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Held up, ridden to chase leaders 5 out, chased leader 4 out, weakening when fell 2 out fell 2 out in race won by Spectrometer (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb, 7 ran.
Salhood 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 15, 40l behind Star Member (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs in Dec.
Bannister Lane 4-1co-fav (10-3) Led to 2nd, led again 5th, pushed clear approaching last, comfortably, won at Haydock 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb beating Simon (11-6) by 14l, 6 ran.
King Coal (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Led, hit 6th, headed 10th, weakened before 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Magico (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gd in Feb, 9 ran.
Royale Acadou (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 7th, ridden, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 8l behind Joseph Beuys (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Jan.
Mokum (FR) 14-1 (10-9) Always behind, 7th of 10, 29l behind Billyandi (11-2) at Haydock 2m nov hcp hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
