always rear, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders until ridden and weakened quickly before 2 out
held up in mid-division, headway from 3 out, challenged on inner 2 out, one pace before last
in touch, hard driven before 2 out, soon beaten
led to 2 out, weakened rapidly
always rear, pulled up before 2 out
in touch until weakened after 3 out
driven in mid-division 4th, soon struggling, tailed off 3 out
held up in mid-division, headway from 3 out, ridden and close up 2 out, no extra and hit last
tracked leaders, led 2 out, joined and hit last, soon headed, no chance with winner but kept on for clear 2nd
chased leader, hard ridden approaching 2 out, weakened quickly
held up in mid-division, effort under pressure after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
mid to rear, hard ridden and no impression 2 out
always behind
mid-division, hit 3 out, never dangerous after
behind, blundered 2nd, some headway after 3 out, never dangerous
held up in rear, brief effort approaching 2 out, soon beaten
held up in rear, smooth headway from 3 out to track leaders on bit before 2 out, upsides last, soon led and quickened clear, eased near finish
soon tracked leaders, close up when hit 2 out, 5th and beaten when blundered last
Martin Pipe has a fine record in the Imperial Cup and Medison looks to have a nice racing weight for his debut in a handicap; however, the five-year-old faces more experienced handicappers today and preference is for Crossbow Creek who gets the vote ahead of Stance. The last mentioned has won his last four starts over hurdles, making an impressive return when slamming 20 rivals at Newbury last week on his return. Gary Moore's gelding has more to do off a 13lb higher mark today though and preference is for Crossbow Creek. Mark Rimell's gelding has won his last two starts at Kempton in impressive fashion and looks to have every chance of defying the handicapper again. Top weight Bold Bishop holds solid claims on the best of his form but Jonjo O'Neill's horses still look somewhat short of their best and of more interest may be Far Pavilions. Alan Swinbank's gelding has done little wrong over hurdles and remains open to improvement. He rates a bigger danger than the Paul Nicholls pair Monte Cinto and Chockdee. Martin Pipe saddles Papillon de Iena and Visibility as well as Medison but the last mentioned looks the most interesting under his lightweight. The Philip Hobbs-trained pair of Kalca Mome and McBain are others worthy of a mention but Crossbow Creek has solid handicap form to his name and gets the vote to complete a hat-trick.
Bold Bishop (IRE) 15-8jt-fav Tracked leaders, close up 5 out, went 2nd next, hard ridden and effort approaching last, one pace under pressure, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Supreme Developer at Newcastle 2m nov chs (C) gd in Dec.
Hot Shots (FR) 100-1 Always in rear, 9th of 13, well behind Kicking King at Kempton 3m chs Grd 1 (A) gs in Dec.
Crossbow Creek 5-2fav Held up in rear, smooth headway to lead approaching 2 out, pushed clear run-in, readily, won at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gd in Jan beating McBain by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Stance 6-1jt-fav Held up in touch, went 2nd going well 3 out, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, drew clear flat, won at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs beating Tighe Caster by 4l, 21 ran.
Kalca Mome (FR) 11-4 Tracked leaders, led and quickened after 3 out, ran on well, won at Warwick 2m hcp hdl (B) hvy in Feb beating Tamarinbleu by 4l, 7 ran.
Telimar Prince (IRE) 7-1 Tracked leaders, chased winner from 4 out, every chance from 2 out, not quicken, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Classified at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb '03.
Far Pavilions 15-2 Towards rear, smooth headway from 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon led and kept on, won at Musselburgh 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gf in Feb beating Alrafid by 4l, 13 ran.
Visibility (FR) 7-4fav Chased leading pair, reminders 2nd, driven and weakened after 3 out, 4th of 5, 20l behind Specular at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (C) sft in Feb.
Monte Cinto (FR) 11-1 Held up, headway after 2 out, never on terms, 10th of 25, 9l behind Essex at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Feb.
Fenix (GER) 40-1 Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from last, not trouble leaders, 7th of 25, 7l behind Essex at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Feb.
McBain (USA) 13-8 Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, not quicken, 3rd of 14, 11l behind Cerium at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (D) gs in Feb.
After Eight (GER) 8-1 Keen, mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 12, 14l behind Olney Lad at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) sft in Feb.
Chockdee (FR) 10-1 Held up, mistake 6th, chased leaders before 2 out, soon ridden and one pace after, 5th of 21, 14l behind Crossbow Creek at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in Jan.
King Eider 7-1 Close up until weakened quickly before 2 out, 18th of 21, 46l behind Monte Cinto at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Dec.
Nathos (GER) 17-2 Mid-division, hampered 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 15l behind Far Pavilions at Musselburgh 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gf in Feb.
Winsley 20-1 Never troubled leaders, 8th of 23, 16l behind Tamarinbleu at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Jan.
Papillon de Iena (FR) 12-1 Held up last ridden and headway after 7th, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Dangerously Good at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (B) gs in Dec.
Medison (FR) 2-1fav Held up, headway approaching 5th, led 2 out, ridden last, ran on, won at Ludlow 2m nov hdl (D) gd beating Flying Enterprise by a shd, 18 ran.
All Star (GER) 12-1 Held up in rear, mistake 2nd, shaken up and effort approaching 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, 4th of 21, 7l behind Stance at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs.
Nawamees (IRE) 50-1 Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 17th of 25, 18l behind Essex at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Feb.
