tracked leading trio, weakened before 2 out
tracked leader, led 2nd, clear 4th until 3 out, drew clear again from last, ridden out
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, mistake and weakened 2 out
led until 2nd, chased winner, closed 8th, ridden and no impression after 2 out, weakened to 3rd before last
held up in last pair, not fluent 4th (water), headway to 3rd and not fluent 2 out, went 2nd and trying to close when mistake and stumbled last, no extra, not recover
held up in rear, blundered 2nd, fell 7th
Only six runners in this handicap but it still looks a tricky puzzle to solve. Zorro De La Vega carries a penalty for last week's win at Kempton but has come right back to his best and Charlie Huxley takes off 3lb. Kack Handed has won twice over hurdles this year but his form over fences isn't as impressive, while Mayberry appears to have gone backwards since landing a novice chase over C&D on her fencing bow. Fellow C&D winner Farleigh House is a reliable sort, however, and shouldn't be far away but let's take a chance on the fitness on WESSEX KING, who was competing at a higher level last season. He has winning form on fast ground and is arguably well treated on his fifth at Sandown in February.
Zorro De La Vega (FR) 5-2fav (11-3) Held up, took keen hold, headway 8th, went 2nd 3 out, about to challenge when left in lead and slightly hampered 2 out, 2 lengths ahead when left clear last, won at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd beating Dean's Grange (11-5) by 12l, 6 ran.
Wessex King (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Tracked clear leaders, took closer order 6th, led 8th, headed after 4 out, weakened under pressure 2 out, 7th of 8, 26l behind Rileyev (10-13) at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Mayberry 16-1 (11-4) Led until 1st, tracked leaders, lost touch from 7th, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Lancetto (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m nov chs (4) gd in Sep.
Kack Handed 8-1 (11-12) Led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed next, weakened flat, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Dancewiththedevil (10-7) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd.
Farleigh House (USA) 11-2 (11-8) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 8th, no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Tilly Ann (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Marleno (GER) 5-1 (10-10) Held up in last, took keen hold, weakened after 2 out, 9th of 10, 28l behind Paintball (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
