always last, outpaced 4th, not fluent next, struggling and no chance after, jumped right from 8th, tailed off
jumped well and always travelling well, made all, clear from 3 out, kept on strongly, unchallenged
chased winner, pushed along and not fluent 7th (water), hit next, pushed along and no chance with winner before 3 out, finished tired
KALASHNIKOV got outpaced by Dynamite Dollars in the Wayward Lad at Kempton and surrendered his unbeaten record over fences. But this stiffer test will suit and he remains firmly on track for the Arkle so is difficult to oppose here. Dell Oro blotted his copybook when jumping poorly in the Scilly Isles here last time and has been racing over further. Glen Forsa is progressive but may also find things happening too quickly for him over this trip. Dalila Du Seuil has never run over a trip this short and was a lucky winner at Exeter so also looks up against it.
Dell Oro (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Held up last, pulled up before 11th (water), at Sandown 2m 4f (1) sft in Feb.
Glen Forsa (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Tracked leader, led 10th, ridden out, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Glen Rocco (10-6) by 2 3/4l, 13 ran.
Kalashnikov (IRE) 4-6fav (11-2) Held up in 4th place, mistake 3rd, reached for 5th, close 2nd and pushed along as runners came into view after 4 out, well held before last, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Dynamite Dollars (11-7) at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Dalila Du Seuil (FR) 6-4 (11-0) Took keen hold, mostly tracked leader, 4 lengths down 4 out, closed from next, led last, pushed out, won at Exeter 2m 1f (3) hvy in Dec beating Kalahari Queen (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
