chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, lost place after 5th, weakened soon after 4 out
led until narrowly headed 4th, regained lead 8th, jumped right and headed last, rallied as winner idled near finish
pressed leader, led 4th until 8th, stayed challenging, hit 3 out, ridden to lead last, driven out, idled near finish
chased leaders in 4th, ridden 7th, soon outpaced, beaten 4 out
held up in 5th, went 3rd 4th, closed on leaders approaching 2 out, one pace and no impression flat
held up last, plugged on take poor 4th approaching 3 out
Elgar, Offemont and Stan look the three to concentrate on in this trappy handicap chase and the narrow vote is given to Elgar. The selection won with a little in hand last time out when beating Dalraith and although having a penalty he again has conditions to suit and he looks sure to make a bold bid to get his head in front. Offemont rates the main danger on his best form but he was let down by his jumping last time out so can not be put forward with any confidence. Stan is another worthy of respect on his latest third behind Malaga Boy but he has only ever won on fast ground and he looks opposable on that basis. Guilt is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he is hard to win with and with this in mind for the winner we return to the progressive Elgar.
Elgar 9-4jt-fav (11-12) Led, not fluent 1st, soon headed, led again 4 out, soon headed, stayed pressing, led after 2 out, stayed on gamely flat, won at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb beating Dalriath (10-2) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Stan (NZ) 3-1fav (11-10) Prominent, led 6th until 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Malaga Boy (10-4) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Offemont (FR) 15-8 (10-4) Led until 4th, prominent, led 7th, blundered next and immediately pulled up at the 8th in race won by Coach Lane (10-6) at Kempton 2m nov hcp chs (2) hvy, 4 ran.
Guilt 20-1 (9-9) Held up in touch, headway to challenge 4 out, kept on and every chance until ridden and no extra approaching last, 3rd of 6, 8l behind St Matthew (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs in Feb.
Yvanovitch (FR) 14-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 7th, switched right 2 out, disputing close 2nd when unseated rider 2 out in race won by Milton Des Bieffes (11-6) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan, 7 ran.
Insurgent (IRE) 5-1 (10-3) Held up, headway 4 out, chance when blundered 3 out, weakened from next, 4th of 8, 7l behind Gastornis (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
