tracked leader, led before 3rd, 5 lenghts clear when hit last, eased towards finish
led, jumped left 1st, headed before 3rd, chased winner until after 6th, lost place 9th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in 6th, mistake 4th, jumped right 8th, ridden 10th, driven after 4 out, weakening when hit next
tracked leaders, chased winner after 6th, not fluent 3 out, no impression last, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened after 2 out
held up in last, ridden when not fluent 4 out, soon weakened, blundered badly and unseated rider 3 out
held up in 5th, closed before 9th, weakened approaching 2 out
The Seamus Mullin's yard is in good form at the moment so we take his FOREIGN KING to land this Handicap Chase ahead of last time out winner De Luain Gorm and Silver Dollars. The pick holds the re-opposing De Luain Gorm on their last meeting and although the challenger has gone on to land a win that only adds strength to Foreign King's form. He was a winner on his penultimate start and after that bold bid under a penalty last time out he should be getting back to winning ways. De Luain Gorm has that form to overturn but did look improved to land a Newcastle contest for that last win. He did find the pick 26 lengths too good on their last clash and it's difficult to see that being reversed on these terms. Silver Dollars won a Novice Handicap chase off a mark of 90 two starts ago and although he was beaten out of sight off this rating on his last run he should be a leading player in this line-up. Glengarra should be involved if fit enough on his return while Benefit Game will be of interest if bouncing back from a poor run last time. This promises to be a tight race but Foreign King looks the call.
De Luain Gorm (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Made all, jumped well, clear approaching 2 out, unchallenged, easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf beating Helen Wood (11-3) by 11l, 7 ran.
Glengarra (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Chased leader to 3rd, left 2nd 6th, weakened approaching 8th, 4th of 7, 32l behind Bright Sparky (10-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Foreign King (USA) 5-4fav (10-13) In rear, chased winner after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Earth Dream (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Tampa Boy (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Held up, reminders 6th, headway to go intouch 9th, chased leader after 2 out, driven and stayed on to lead close home, won at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr '09 beating Indefensible (11-12) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Silver Dollars (FR) 9-4fav (10-13) Pulled hard in touch, chased winner 11th, weakened after 4 out, 5th of 7, well behind Power Shared (10-9) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Benefit Game (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) In rear, mistake 2nd, not fluent next, well behind 8th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by My Condor (9-10) at Worcester 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in May, 11 ran.
Prince Noora (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Held up, weakened after 6 out, pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Fortification (10-9) at Chepstow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
