held up in touch, mistake 2nd (water), went 3rd after 3 out, stayed on well flat to lead towards finish
held up, behind 6th, closed 12th, went handy next, outpaced 2 out, stayed on same pace last
tracked leaders, hit 7th, not fluent 12th, last next, hit 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden to lead and hung left approaching last, rider dropped whip flat, headed towards finish
led, ridden and headed approaching last where pecked, no extra flat
Nonrunner
LISADELL KING is the best horse in this Hunters' Chase so gets the selection in preference to Oranger and Alroyal. A 30 lengths winner of a Novice Chase when last seen the pick confirmed he was back to form after pulling up on his penultimate start. Previously he took an unbeaten record in British points into a similar event to this and won so on this form he is the standard setter. Oranger hasn't got that much to find at the weights and has been progressive in these events culminating in victory last time over course and distance. He won well enough and a similar effort will have him close. Alroyal is well in with a chance based on the pick of his handicap form but he's not really shown that in recent starts and has it to prove after losing his pilot last time. Von Origny has been on the decline but showed signs of life when winning a point before pulling up last time again between the flags. If finding some of his old form he could go well but it would be a leap of faith to back him. An intriguing hunters' chase this where LISADELL KING sets the standard
Lisadell King (IRE) 15-8 (11-11) Tracked leaders, led 9th, made rest, clear from 12th, won at Fakenham 2m 5f nov hts chs (6) gd beating Jimmys Duky (11-3) by well, 7 ran.
Alroyal (GER) 11-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, hit 3rd, lost place and towards rear when blundered and unseated rider 6th, in a race won by Whizzaar (12-3) at Hereford 2m 3f hts chs (6) gs in Mar, 7 ran.
Oranger (FR) 14-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 12th, outpaced approaching 3 out, headway 2 out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Stratford 2m 7f nov hts chs (5) gf in Mar beating Just Talking (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Von Origny (FR) 7-4 (12-0) (cp) pu 1, in a race won by Le Seychellois (12-0) at Tabley 3m ptp gs, 6 ran.
Fruitfull Citizen (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, mistake and unseated rider 6th, in a race won by Quil Est Beau (11-7) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-85 (5) gf in Jul, 14 ran.
Arctic Ghost 11-10 (12-5) (cp) led 3-9 & 11-14; wknd app last, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Le Forezien (12-5) at Cothelstone 3m ptp gf.
Willie Pep (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Prom to 12, 4th of 7, 18l behind Bon Accord (12-0) at Barbury Racecourse 3m ptp in Feb.
