kept wide most of way, held up behind, headway and in touch 3rd, reminders after 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
always prominent, disputed lead 3 out, ridden after next, kept on and every chance last, no extra and held flat
not fluent 1st, behind, never travelled well, pushed along from 6th, lost touch after 8th, pulled up before next
tracked leader, led narrowly 3 out, ridden and hard pressed after next, stayed on well, in command flat
led to 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off before next, pulled up before last
held up in touch, tracked leaders 4 out, ridden 2 out, soon one pace, no chance with clear pair between last 2
tracked leader, lost place 4 out, weakening when mistake and pulled up after next
held up in touch, tracked leaders 4 out, ridden and one pace after 2 out, modest 4th when weakened last
A winner at Doncaster last month, Kansas City Chief went close again at Catterick but is upped a further 7lb for this. Sun Cloud is preferred as he landed a double over hurdles before struggling over fences last time and a conditional takes 10lb off his back today. Sam Red never recovered from an early blunder in a higher grade chase at Wetherby and returns to the smaller obstacles and Jaunty Flyer makes his handicap debut having won a novice hurdle at Catterick. JEANNOT DE NONANT was making his debut for Peter Bowen and having his first start since August when fourth at Uttoxeter last month. He should be sharper for that and may prove good enough off his current mark.
Sam Red (FR) 11-2 (11-2) In rear, mistake 3rd, reminders after 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up, at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Feb.
Kansas City Chief (IRE) 4-6fav (12-5) In rear, outpaced 3 out, headway after 2 out, every chance from last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Planet Nine (11-7) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Rocky's Treasure (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Held up in mid-division, ridden after 9th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next, at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Jeannot De Nonant (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 2nd when not fluent 3rd, not fluent 2 out, beaten last, one pace, 4th of 7, 7 3/4l behind Yalltari (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Sun Cloud (IRE) 4-1cfav (11-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner before 3 out until next, weakened before last, 6th of 9, 30 3/4l behind I Just Know (11-10) at Catterick 3m 6f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Minella On Line (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, hampered 1st, led 11th, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 20 1/2l behind Wakanda (11-0) at Doncaster 3m hcp lst (1) sft in Jan.
A Vos Gardes (FR) 11-2 (10-8) Close up, fell 1st, at Haydock 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Jaunty Flyer 4-5fav (10-12) Led, pressed from 2 out, ridden before last, headed run-in, rallied to join leader on line, won at Catterick 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan beating Teescomponents Lad (10-12), 10 ran.
