led, ridden and headed narrowly between last 2, rallied to regain lead flat, kept on, just held on
tracked leading pair, lost pl;ace when not fluent 3 out, soon ridden and beaten
slowly away, raced keenly, held up 4th and last in touch, went clear 3rd 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, no impression with leading pair
tracked winner, driven to challenge 2 out, ridden to lead narrowly between last 2, headed flat, kept on, held near finish
Two of IRISH GUARD's three wins over fences have come at this track and he gets on well with Andrew Thornton. The 10-year-old is only a pound higher than when runner-up at Market Rasen on his latest start and is probably the one to beat. Red Jester is gradually coming down the weights again and should be thereabouts but Kikos has been well below his best so far this season and it's difficult to make a case for Beherayn, who has failed to complete in five of his last six outings though was second over C&D around this time last year.
Kikos (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Prominent, not fluent 12th, ridden 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 6th of 12, 32l behind Mud Monkey (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Irish Guard 5-1 (11-5) Led to 3rd, with leader, led again 6th, ridden after 4 out, headed before 2 out, kept on and every chance until no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Nomadic Warrior (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Beherayn 28-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, but in touch, under pressure approaching 5th, soon weakened and pulled up, in a race won by Rileyev (11-11) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs, 7 ran.
Red Jester 8-1 (11-12) Held up in last pair, headway to chase leader 6th, challenged 9th, led 10th, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon no chance with winner, weakened badly flat, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 8, 12l behind That's The Deal (10-10) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
