jumped well, made all 2 lengths ahead 2 out, came clear before last, easily
took keen hold early, chased leaders until outpaced after 3 out
behind, tailed off when pulled up after 5th
towards rear, went left 5th, tailed off 3 out
rear of mid-division, hit 6th, weakened before next, tailed off
mostly chased winner, ridden after 3 out, 2 lengths down when hit 2 out, no impression before last
slow 1st, soon well behind, tailed off 4 out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, no impression when hit 2 out, weakened and blundered last
slow 2nd, chased leaders, hit 3 out, soon outpaced
mid-divsion, hit 3rd, hit 6th, soon in rear, tailed off
towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, stayed on one pace from after next
towards rear, headway 5th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, pushed along after 5th, soon lost place, stayed on again approaching 2 out
always behind, tailed off 4 out
Henry King's career has been a little stop-start so far and he dropped away in disappointing fashion here last month after breaking his duck at the track in January. Back in novice company today, Victor Dartnall's enigmatic grey can't be ignored but there are others with more scope. Merehead made mistakes when favourite at Chepstow last time but appeared to appreciate the step up in distance and should go well, though preference is for ROMULUS D'ARTAIX. He went down with all guns blazing behind Radetsky March at Warwick on his hurdling debut and a repeat of that effort would probably suffice here.
Henry King (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Led until approaching 5th, chased leader, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 14, 23l behind Karky Schultz (11-1) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Barton Cliche 25-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, keen early, under pressure before 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 12, well behind Al Ferof (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Jan.
Boo Boo Booyakasha 80-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4th, ridden after next, weakened 3 out, 5th of 13, 35l behind Our Mick (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f NH mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Golden King (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, pushed along halfway, soon struggling, tailed off, 17th of 18, well behind Distime (11-4) at Wetherby 2m NH flat (6) gs in Feb.
How's My Friend 16-1 (11-4) Held up behind leaders, pushed along 6f out, outpaced 3f out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 26l behind Destroyer Deployed (11-4) at Towcester 2m NH flat (6) sft in Feb.
Merehead (FR) 3-1fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway when blundered 4 out, driven and one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 15, 10l behind Our Father (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Nik Nak Too 33-1 (10-9) Always in rear, tailed off, 16th of 18, well behind Hildisvini (10-12) at Warwick 2m NH flat (6) gs in Jan.
Romulus D'artaix (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, headway approaching 4th, hit 6th, chased winner approaching 2 out, close up last, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 18, shd behind Radetsky March (11-11) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Royal Riviera 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, jumped badly right and knocked badly 3rd, soon lost place, behind after, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Sinbad The Sailor (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Semelay (FR) 100-1 (11-2) Raced wide in mid-division, jumped slowly 3rd, behind before 5th, tailed off and pulled up before next, in a race won by Listenlook (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Feb, 15 ran.
Spirit Of Barbados (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Behind, not fluent 3rd, headway 6th, not fluent next, ridden in 5th after 3 out, one pace and no impression before next, 6th of 13, 19l behind Dark Lover (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Dolores Ortiz (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, switched left, soon after start, soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 23l behind Molly The Witch (8-12) at Yarmouth 1m 3yo sll (6) gd in Aug '09 (flat).
Generous Bob 50-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, lost place after 4th, weakened 7th, pulled up before last, in a race won by Cucumber Run (11-8) at Hereford 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Jan, 16 ran.
Homer Run (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) Held up in rear, headway over 5f out, outpaced 4f out, plugged on final 2f, 6th of 12, 25l behind Queens Bay (10-8) at Fontwell 1m 6f cond NH flat (6) gs in Feb.
