mid-division, bumped 1st, ridden and mistakes 3rd and 4th, headway 10th, ridden to lead after 4 out, headed soon after 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid to rear, headway 10th, ridden to chase leading trio 15th, weakened next
in touch, weakened 13th, pulled up 3 out
with leader, led 3rd, headed when mistake 4 out, weakened next, hit last
never a danger, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 5th, weakened 13th, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, ridden 13th, weakened next
held up rear, headway 13th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, one pace
always in rear, pulled up before 3 out
held up rear, headway 10th, led soon after 3 out, easy
mid-division, ridden and weakened 11th, pulled up before 4 out
in touch, hit 10th, ridden 11th, weakened 14th
tracked leaders, weakened 9th
keen in touch, weakened 8th, pulled up before 3 out
led, headed 13th, ridden 8th, weakening when hit 12th
A wide open contest here and many would have chances on their best form but the principals look to be Nykel, Umbrella Man and Pietro Vannucci and the tentative vote is given Nykel. The selection won well last time out when beating Supreme Catch. That horse has since ran well in defeat in a better race and despite his penalty he is taken to score under conditions that suit. Umbrella Man rates the main danger as he won well last time when beating Up The Pub but this looks much more competitive and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Pietro Vannucci is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he is becoming expensive to follow. Moore Spirit is a progressive type and will not be far away if his jumping holds up but that is a big if. Of the remainder Mioche d'Estruval is from a top yard and ran well last time out but he looks weighted up to his best and for the winner we return to Nykel.
Mioche d'Estruval (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, chased leader 14th, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind De Blanc (10-11) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov chs (3) gs in Feb.
Idiome (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Always behind, ridden and struggling 3 out, 7th of 8, 17l behind New Entic (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Nas Na Riogh (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Chased leader, led 11th, ridden and headed after 13th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 11, 25l behind East Lawyer (10-11) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
Dickensbury Lad (FR) 3-1 (11-4) Led to 7th, hit 14th, led again 15th, hit 4 out, headed 2 out, ran on, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Martha's Kinsman (11-4) at Ludlow 3m beg chs (4) gf in Feb.
Moor Spirit 4-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 6th, led 2 out, ridden and slight lead when blundered and unseated rider at the last in race won by Executive Decision (11-9) at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb, 11 ran.
Welcome To Unos 12-1 (9-12) Mid-division, ridden 7th, weakened 3 out, 11th of 20, 31l behind Material World (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Portavo (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 11th, every chance last, not quicken towards finish, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Martha's Kinsman (11-4) at Ludlow 3m beg chs (4) gf in Feb.
Lulumar (FR) 66-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 15th, blundered next, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Dunbrody Millar (9-13) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Gallik Dawn 16-1 (10-7) Behind and pulled up 2 out in race won by Cruising River (11-0) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb, 11 ran.
Umbrella Man (IRE) 11-2co-fav (11-12) Held up mid-division, progress to lead 3 out, clear after next, won at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jan beating Up The Pub (10-8) by 6l, 12 ran.
Pietro Vannucci (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 6th, ridden 10th, lost place and mistake 3 out, took moderate 3rd flat, 3rd of 10, 15l behind The Outlier (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Nykel (FR) 4-1fav (10-5) Close up, led 11th, headed 15th, led again after 3 out, ridden out, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb beating Supreme Catch (11-5) by 6l, 10 ran.
Denada 9-1 (10-7) In touch, hit 3rd, driven along 11th, weakened approaching 3 out, 3rd of 9, well behind Naunton Brook (11-12) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Feb.
Myson (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Behind, blundered 6th, hit 8th, held when blundered and unseated rider at the last in race won by Roznic (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb, 7 ran.
Strong Magic (IRE) 40-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, reminders and lost place from 11th, 4th of 9, well behind Naunton Brook (11-12) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Feb.
