led to 1st, chased leaders, reminders after 5th, mistake next, struggling 7th, soon lost touch, 6th and last 3 out, plugged on to go moderate 3rd next, no chance with front pair
tracked leaders on outside, joined leader after 7th, led after 3 out, drew clear from next, comfortably
chased leaders on inside, ridden and outpaced approaching 4 out, never on terms, weakened after next, tailed off
raced keenly, disputed lead on inside from 1st, headed after 7th, outpaced by leading pair 4 out, weakened next, lost moderate 3rd 2 out, tailed off
raced keenly, disputed lead on outside from 1st, lost place 7th, soon outpaced, 4th and weakening when blundered 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, led narrowly after 7th, ridden after 4 out, headed after next, kept on same pace, no impression with winner from 2 out
Raphiell has been off the track for a long time and both Ballyoliver and Saint Denis also return from a break, while C'Monthehammers took little interest on his reappearance over fences at Fontwell and was pulled up before completing a circuit. VALID POINT has won both previous starts on this track and, though trying 3m for the first time, didn't appear to be stopping over 2m5f last time and can score again. Manadam won over the trip at Ffos Las last month and was a fair fourth at Newcastle on his latest start. He looks the likely danger.
C'Monthehammers (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Towards rear and reminders, reluctant to race, pulled up before 7th, tailed off, in a race won by Giles Cross (11-12) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft, 16 ran.
Valid Point (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, in lead after 3 out, ran on, won at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd beating Master Milan (11-7) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Raphiell (IRE) 150-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Flaming Charlie (11-4) at Southwell 3m mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb '10.
Ballyoliver 11-2 (11-10) Chased leaders, ridden along on outside after 3 out, driven and went well held 3rd before last, no impression on leading duo, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Matako (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov '10.
Saint Denis (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Held up behind in touch, outpaced 4 out, 6th when mistake next, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 33l behind Upthemsteps (11-8) at Warwick 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) hvy in Feb.
Manadam (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden before last, kept on, 4th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Forcefield (11-1) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.