tracked winner 3rd, ridden and weakened 3 out
in touch when fell 9th
held up, effort and headway 3 out, 3rd last, faded
held up, hampered and lost place 4th, carried on detached and made some ground from 2 out
keen, headway 8th, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up, fell 4th
made all, clear 2 out unchallenged
tracked leaders, tracked winner from 4 out, ridden 3 out, held from 2 out
Nonrunner
Lorient Express has another rise in the weights to contend with and it will be interesting to see how he gets on against better opposition so we are inclined to take him on with GOOD COMPANY. Jonjo O'Neill's horses continue in good form and this gelding made light work of his rivals at Haydock last time. A return to soft ground seemed to suit him and although he has an 11lb rise in the weights to contend with this afternoon, with AP McCoy taking over in the saddle for the first time it would be no shock to see him progress again. I Hear A Symphony was in second on that day and he has claims with a big pull in the weights but he was firmly brushed aside last time. Killaghy Castle hasn't been seen for almost two years but any support for Nick Gifford's course and distance winner would be interesting as he is dropped in trip this afternoon. Almaydan did tremendously well to win off top-weight last time and he has the same burden today, whilst Jack Doyle takes the ride for the first time on Mark Rimell's Oneway. Sou'Wester is still paying the price for a successful spell last Spring, so a bigger threat could be the hat-trick seeking Vinmix De Bessy who was an easy winner of this race a year ago when beating Almaydan into second (now 3lb higher in weights). Not the easiest of finishes to a card, but we will take a chance on Good Company.
Almaydan 25-1 (11-12) In touch, led 5 out, clear going to 2 out, won at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft beating Polar Gunner (10-7) by 5l, 15 ran.
Killaghy Castle (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 11th, weakend approaching 4 out, beaten when pulled up 2 out in race won by Aces Four (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr '07, 10 ran.
Good Company (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Held up and raced wide, headway 5 out, left in lead 2 out, ran on strongly, won at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec beating I Hear A Symphony (10-12) by 12l, 8 ran.
Sou'wester 50-1 (11-11) Behind from 7th, 10th of 13, 31l behind Master Medic (11-5) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec.
Vinmix De Bessy (FR) 15-2 (10-2) Held up, smooth headway from 3 out, led last, pushed clear, readily, won at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Feb beating Almaydan (11-2) by 3l, 8 ran.
I Hear A Symphony (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (10-12) Held up in touch, led 3 out until stumbled and headed next, weakened after last, 2nd of 8, 12l behind Good Company (11-4) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Lorient Express (FR) 13-8fav (11-13) Made all, went clear on bit after 4 out, easily, won at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec beating Roofing Spirit (11-12) by 25l, 5 ran.
Nikola (FR) 16-1 (10-6) Held up, headway 9th, ridden in 5th after 4 out, weakened after 2 out, 8th of 13, 30l behind Classic Fiddle (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Oneway (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, no extra, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Master Medic (11-5) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec.
