in rear, pushed along 4 out, left a moderate 3rd from last, never dangerous
with leaders, weakened from 2 out
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, led soon after 2 out, headed before last, still every chance when a close 2nd and fell last
prominent, led before last, kept on well
made most to 10th, weakened from 2 out
with leaders, led from 10th, headed before last, held in 3rd when left 2nd soon after, kept on same pace
CHAKISTO (NAP) ran well over fences on a couple of occasions in the autumn and has since completed a double over hurdles. Rated 2lb lower than over the smaller obstacles, Tim Vaughan’s charge looks the one to beat with Alan Johns good value for his claim. Bandol won at Worcester and Hereford either side of a fall at Southwell so can’t be ignored. Duhallowcountry finished well ahead of Roxyfet when second to Chestnut Ben over course and distance last time but a strike rate of 1-26 over fences is off-putting. Oak Vintage and Arantes have been out of sorts.
Roxyfet (FR) 8-1 (12-2) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 4 out, under pressure next, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 7, 19 1/4l behind Chestnut Ben (12-2) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Oak Vintage (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, mistake 5th, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Chakisto (FR) 11-4fav (11-6) Jumped well, held up off the pace in 6th, closed approaching 6th, tracked leaders on bit before 3 out, led 3 out, came clear after 2 out, easily, won at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) hvy in Feb beating Toola Boola (10-2) by 9l, 9 ran.
Bandol (IRE) 7-2 (10-8) Tracked leader, led after 8th, ridden before last, kept on well flat, won at Hereford 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec beating Pembroke House (11-12) by 3l, 11 ran.
Arantes 25-1 (10-12) In touch, mistake and reminders after 7th, towards rear and struggling when went left 4 out, hit 3 out, 6th of 10, 26 1/2l behind Halcyon Days (11-11) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Duhallowcountry (IRE) 15-2 (10-8) Tracked leader, led after 5 out, challenged from 3 out, headed before last, no extra, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Chestnut Ben (12-2) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in Feb.
