led 2nd to 6th, lost place and mistake 8th, 6th and 6 lengths down when hit badly hampered and unseated rider 9th
tracked leaders, hit 1st, ridden and every chance approaching last, no extra flat
not fluent, in touch, ridden 2 out, chased winner last, not quicken flat
led to 2nd, led against 6th to 3 out, soon beaten
in touch, headway 5th, led 3 out, driven out
in touch, pushed along 6th, 5th and 4 lengths down when fell 9th
Kitski returns to the scene of his only success over hurdles, and is taken to open his account over the bigger obstacles, with Just A Splash and Sharp Jack seen as the main dangers. Kitski was trained by Steve Gollings when scoring round here in November 2004 and since joining Ferdy Murphy, has been campaigned over fences without success. However, he has run well on more than one occasion, including when chasing home Pass Me By at Carlisle in February, and with conditions to suit, he has leading claims. He prefers going right-handed and the stiff finish will bring his stamina into play, so the eight-year-old should make a bold bid. Just A Splash won over hurdles at Plumpton in November and has had just one outing over fences when fourth of seven to Concert Pianist at Folkestone in January. He should progress and can give the selection most to do. Sharp Jack would appear to be a similar sort judged on the way that he has been brought along, and is another that will no doubt be found an opportunity in time, but Kitski is taken to give Ferdy Murphy another winner.
Germany Park (IRE) 125-1 (10-11) Pulled hard, chased leaders, hit 7th, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up at the 11th in race won by Ardaghey (11-4) at Towcester 3m beg chs (4) sft in Feb, 14 ran.
Just A Splash (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Led 3rd to 5th at steady pace, ridden and weakened after 9th, 4th of 6, 25l behind Bring Me Sunshine (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Kitski (FR) 11-2 (11-3) Held up, mistake 8th and 10th, weakened 13th pulled up 2 out in race won by Amicelli (11-3) at Hereford 3m 1f beg chs (4) gd, 8 ran.
Onyourheadbeit (IRE) 18-1 (11-7) Prominent approaching 12th, soon behind, 6th of 9, 17l behind Joe Mchugh (10-0) at Warwick 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy.
Sharp Jack (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Led to 5th, led again 9th, ridden, headed approaching 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 8, 18l behind Great As Gold (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (4) hvy.
Bob's Finesse 100-1 (10-8) Mid-division, weakened 6th, soon tailed off and pulled up 5 out in race won by Saltango (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb, 15 ran.
