held up, not always fluent, outpaced 5 out, soon weakened
prominent until not fluent 6th, in touch, not fluent 5 out, 4th and outpaced before next, soon weakened
always prominent, ridden after 4 out, 1 1/2 lengths down when left in lead last, idled, driven out
held up in rear, not fluent 9th, pushed along after 5 out, well beaten before next, went modest 4th after 3 out, never on terms
held up in rear, mistake 5 out, 5th and well held before next
in touch, not fluent 4th or 8th, hit 5 out, soon weakened
led, shaken up and 1 1/2 lengths clear when bad mistake last, headed and not recover
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, left 2nd and hampered last, closed on idling winner towards finish
Withdrawn
A tightly-knit limited handicap made more complex by useful sorts in Viva Steve and RENARD D'IRELANDE making seasonal reappearances. However, the latter posted a a commendable series of chasing efforts last term and his yard is rarely troubled in having their charges primed first time up. He looks likely to improve considerably this season with last term's experience behind him and is taken to make this a winning reappearance. San Telm is interesting on his chasing debut but recent winner Special Account rates a more potent threat and also has plenty of fencing knowledge to call upon. The unexposed Henry King cannot be discarded either off his attractively modest weight.
San Telm (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) In touch in 4th, went 2nd after 7th, pushed along after 3 out, one pace, 4th of 10, 21l behind Bally Legend (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Oct.
Viva Steve (IRE) 2-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 3rd approaching 2 out, driven and stayed on well flat, went 2nd final 100 yards, led close home, won at Sandown 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Expanding Universe (11-1) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Renard D'irlande (FR) 11-4 (10-13) Held up in last trio, stayed on from 3 out, went modest 4th last, 4th of 10, 9l behind Prince Of Pirates (11-10) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Feb.
Special Account (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Patiently ridden and held up last, smooth headway travelling well before 4 out, went 2nd on bit 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, kept on well from last, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Oct beating Bendant (11-6) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Cocacobana (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, left in lead after 3 out, soon clear, ridden and headed before last, no extra and lost 2nd place run-in, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Bally Legend (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Oct.
Jat Punjabi 11-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, led before 6th, headed before 11th, tracked leader until 4 out, weakened before next, 5th of 10, well behind Balding Banker (10-7) at Hexham 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in May.
Henry King (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Led to after 3rd, tracked clear leader (winner) until fell 6th, in a race won by Bygones Sovereign (10-4) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr, 15 ran.
No Buts 9-2 (10-13) Led, ridden when hit 2 out, headed between 2 out and last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Cowards Close (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 7f nh nov hdl (3) gd in May.
Westward Point 7-1 (10-13) Led, set strong pace and clear 3rd, mistake 6th, reduced lead 9th, headed before 4 out, soon 3rd and no chance with leading duo, weakened to 4th soon after 2 out, tailed off, last of 4, 37l behind Taquin Du Seuil (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m nov chs (4) hvy in Oct.
