in touch, hit 2nd, 4th and 2 lengths down when fell 4 out
prominent, hit 6th, reminders after 9th, outpaced approaching 4 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
led to 6th, led again 14th, soon ridden and headed, one pace flat
in touch, not fluent 12th, weakened after 14th
prominent, led 6th to 13th, weakened after 14th
in touch, mistakes 4th and 13th, outpaced 14th, rallied approaching 3 out, weakened last
mid-division, headway after 13th, led after 14th, ridden and headed after 4 out, one pace flat
jumped left, never going well, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
towards rear, mistake 7th, pushed along 11th, headway 2 out, stayed on, never dangerous
held up, headway 6th, led 13th to 14th, soon ridden, led after 4 out, jumped right 3 out and 2 out, clear last, stayed on well
Course and distance scorer King Killone is expected to return to the winners enclosure in this cracking handicap chase, Sleeping Night, and Ross Comm look to be the main rivals. The selection followed that Wetherby success with a a very good effort in the Rehersal Chase at Newcastle. Today's softer ground conditions are more in his favour and a big run is expected. Paul Nicholls always has to be respected when sending his runners up from Ditchheat and so Sleeping Night, a top class chaser on his day, should be watched closely in the betting on his return from a long lay off. Ross Comm ran too freely last time out but still did well in a competitive event. If ridden with more restraint he could go well at decent odds. Sir Rembrandt can always be a threat in these type of contests and Julius Caesar is not harshly handicapped, however King Killone has plenty going for him today and he gets the verdict.
Sleeping Night (FR) 3-1 (11-0) In touch, hit 15th, ridden 3 out, led 2 out, clear when blundered last, ran on, won at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (B) gd in Apr '05 beating Zeta's River (10-0) by 10l, 12 ran.
Sir Rembrandt (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, reminders 11th, weakened 16th and pulled up 3 out in race won by My Will (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Ossmoses (IRE) 11-4fav (10-12) With leader, led before 7th, headed 4 out, outpaced from 2 out, 4th of 16, 25l behind Heraldry (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 7f nov hdl (4) sft.
King Killone (IRE) 7-2 (10-5) In touch, driven and outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, kept on well from last, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Neptune Collonges (11-9) at Newcastle 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Ross Comm 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, led 11th, clear after 4 out, soon ridden, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 20l behind Kandjar D'allier (11-4) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy.
Heez A Dreamer (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, led 12th, narrowly headed 4 out, every chance when hit 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Don't Push It (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) sft.
Little Big Horse (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) In touch, jumped big 2nd, pushed along and lost place 5th, behind after, 9th of 14, 18l behind Sultan Fontenaille (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jul.
Julius Caesar 40-1 (10-5) Held up, headway and in touch 11th, hit 13th and next, outpaced from 4 out, 8th of 11, 28l behind Neptune Collonges (11-9) at Newcastle 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Truckers Tavern (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway 9th, led 15th, hit last, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 14, 9l behind Kilbeggan Blade (11-7) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy.
Leading Man (IRE) 40-1 (10-3) Prominent, lost place halfway, weakened 5 out, 7th of 11, 17l behind Neptune Collonges (11-9) at Newcastle 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Silver Knight 5-2fav (11-3) Held up, headway 10th, challenged 4 out, led 2 out, ridden and drew clear flat, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft beating Kerry Lads (11-12) by 22l, 10 ran.
