chased leaders, progress 3 out, under pressure next, 4th and weakening when fell last
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, kept on under pressure after last
pulled hard tracking leaders, driven to challenge 2 out, stayed on under pressure closing stages, no chance with winner
led, keen and soon 7 lengths clear, jumped right throughout, headed before 3 out, soon weakened
always behind, weakened 4 out, left in remote 4th at last
mid-division, mistake 2nd, weakened after 4 out
Alan King is doubly represented but HAREFIELD looks by far the strongest of the pair as suggested by jockey bookings and is taken to record a second course and distance success, Things haven't quite worked out on two subsequent runs since his November victory here but his overall profile still stands up well in this contest and he looks the one to beat. Stablemate Fields Of Fortune looks more of a long-term project, likewise Rebel Royal for the in-form Skelton and Andrews combination. Captain Jack is an each-way possible but the doubly penalised Whatmore looks the main danger despite his considerable burden as he's contested much better races than this since scoring at Bangor last autumn. He'll appreciate the return to novice class and is a live threat.
Whatmore 25-1 (10-11) Held up and behind, hampered 7th, never involved, 8th of 13, dist behind Jenkins (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Harefield (IRE) 5-6fav (11-8) Chased winner, ridden before 2 out, no impression approaching last, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Delire D'Estruval (11-8) at Towcester 2m (4) sft in Feb.
Captain Jack 5-1 (10-10) Took keen hold, chasing leaders when badly hampered by faller 5th, never able to recover, 5th of 9, 17 1/2l behind Comber Mill (10-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Higgs (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) With leader, not much room 3f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 29 1/2l behind Harambe (11-0) at Ludlow 1m 6f (4) sft in Dec.
Totterdown 40-1 (11-4) Jumped right, led until 1st, with leader, led again after 3rd, headed and weakened before 3 out, 7th of 16, 21 1/4l behind Lord Napier (11-4) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) sft in Feb.
Fields Of Fortune 8-1 (10-12) Bumped and left in lead 1st, headed next, stayed handy in chasing group, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 8, 27 1/4l behind Mister Chow (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Taking A Chance (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 10th of 14, dist behind Piton Pete (11-7) at Warwick 2m (4) hvy in Mar.
Zamalight 50-1 (10-7) In rear, ridden before 2 out, never dangerous, 12th of 14, dist behind Piton Pete (11-7) at Warwick 2m (4) hvy in Mar.
Rebel Royal (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, pushed along after 4 out, some headway 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 29 1/2l behind Canelo (11-3) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb.