disputed 2nd, challenged 3 out, led narrowly between last 2, driven approaching last, stayed on well to go clear flat
led, headed 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
held up in 4th, hit 6th, ridden to chase leading pair after 2 out, kept on under pressure to go 2nd flat, no impression with winner
held up in rear, headway and in touch on outside 8th, mistake next, led narrowly 2 out, headed between last 2, soon ridden, kept on until one pace and no impression when lost 2nd flat
chased leaders in 5th, dropped to rear 7th, struggling 10th, stayed on to go well beaten 4th before last, no chance with leaders
disputed 2nd until lost place and reminders 10th, soon struggling, weakened 2 out
The handicapper has had the measure of Kinkeel since he scored at Towcester in January, while it's more than a year since Phoenix Des Mottes last got his head in front and this trip may be on the sharp side for him nowadays. Qunitero has shown promise but is still a maiden, though he is preferred to The Paddy Premium who was pulled up in his latest start at Down Royal. Piment D'Estruval only scraped home at Fontwell earlier this month and is 3lb higher here so the vote goes to HIMRAYN, who was a comfortable winner on his chasing debut at Market Rasen and has the scope to defy the inevitable weight rise.
Himrayn 17-2 (11-0) Held up, headway 8th, joined leader 3 out, led next, ridden and ran on, won at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating Quipe Me Posted (11-12) by 10l, 9 ran.
Quintero (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Hedl up towards rear on inside, headway to get in behind leaders when hit 8th, went 3rd next until after 3 out, no chance when left poor 3rd last, 3rd of 10, 29l behind Take It There (11-11) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
The Paddy Premium (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Chased leaders early, soon mid-division, ridden in 10th and no impression 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Hidden Crack (11-7) at Down Royal 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (0-109) in Feb, 19 ran.
Piment D'estruval (FR) 11-4fav (11-12) Held up in 5th, smooth headway approaching 3 out, challenged next, led between last 2, joined and blundered last, narrowly headed soon after, rallied gamely to lead again last strides, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs beating Meneur (11-9) by hd, 7 ran.
Phoenix Des Mottes (FR) 9-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, lost place after 14th, never back on terms after, went 4th flat, 4th of 8, 15l behind Tim The Chair (11-11) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy.
Kinkeel (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Disputed lead on inside, mistake and reminders 9th, ridden and lost place after 3 out, 4th and weakened when refused next, in a race won by Prophete De Guye (11-8) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb, 5 ran.
