held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader, ridden after 4th, soon weakened
prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened after 2 out
led and overjumped throughout, headed 4th, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened after
in touch, ridden to chase leader 3 out, weakened 2 out
towards rear, ridden and weakened after 5th
in touch, ridden and chased leader 3 out, weakened 2 out
chased leader, led 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra, flat
prominent, chased leader 5th, every chance 3 out, ridden and kept on one pace from 2 out
mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, chased leader 2 out, led approaching last, driven out
held up in mid-division, ridden after 3 out, one pace
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
pulled early and held up towards rear, weakened 5th, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden and some headway after 3 out, weakened 2 out
Tarotino looks sure to appreciate this drop in trip and is preferred to Otto Des Picton, while the unexposed Keepitsecret looks the main threat judging by his potential for improvement. There may also be more to come from Karinga Kream but he needs to brush up on his jumping and now has a bit to prove after posting a modest effort at Folkestone when he was last seen out. Keepitsecret makes his debut over hurdles today and is one to keep on the right side for the time being - especially if support arrives for him in the betting ring. He looks to be on an upward curve after easing past a modest field in a Hereford bumper before finishing fourth in a useful looking contest at Ascot last October. It is safe to assume that he has being doing plenty of work at home since then and, with the assistance of Tony McCoy, Keepitsecret is sure to be primed for his introduction to obstacles. There are winners in his pedigree and he is likely to improve when he is stepped up in trip in due course. Otto Des Pictons also looks sure to win races and looks sure to handle the ground. However, he looks to be more of a stayer just now, so a drop in trip is not sure to suit him ideally. Therefore, it can pay to side with Tarotino, whose Sandown form is working out very well and he appears to be the one most suited to this afternoon's trip and conditions.
Beneficial Bud (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Led to 4th, hit 7th, soon struggling, behind when hampered throughout, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Trigger The Light (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
Fox 'n' Goose (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Led, blundered 6th, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, eased, 9th of 10, well behind Or Jaune (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Illicit Spirit (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders until mistake and behind from 5th, 9th of 18, well behind Duc De Regniere (11-0) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
James Victor (IRE) 13-2 (10-6) In touch, weakened after 10th, beaten when pulled up 3 out in race won by Jolly Boy (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Karinga Kream 12-1 (10-11) In touch, hit 2nd, stuggling 4th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Sir Jimmy Shand (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 8 ran.
Keepitsecret (IRE) 4-7fav (10-11) Soon tracking leader, ridden and effort over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 4l behind Wizard of Odds (11-0) at Ascot 2m nhf (3) gf in Oct.
Lenny The Blade 66-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, ridden 4th, soon weakened, 11th of 18, 28l behind Thirty Five Black (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Maree Hall (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, 5th under pressure before 2 out, no impression, 6th of 14, 28l behind Amalfitano (11-12) at Listowel 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy in Sept.
Otto des Pictons (FR) 8-1 (11-6) In touch, ridden 3 out, stayed on to chase winner from 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 5, 12l behind The Sawyer (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft.
So Wise So Young 100-1 (11-2) Prominent, mistake 6th, soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Nobody Tells Me (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) gd in Mar, 20 ran.
Tarotino (FR) 6-1 (10-12) Prominent, mostly chaced winner from 2nd, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 16, 13l behind Nictos de Bersy (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Wednesday Country (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) In touch in 5th until blundered and lost place 4th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Orange Street (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar, 11 ran.
Wichway Now (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up last, stayed on steadily after 3 out until went lame and pulled up in race won by Marcel (11-8) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (C) gd in Nov '04, 9 ran.
Quiteb'chance (IRE) 66-1 (10-10) Led to after 6th, hit 7th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Jug Of Punch (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f sll hdl (5) gd in Feb, 13 ran.
Wild Tonto (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Took keen hold in touch, hung left on bend approaching 3rd, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 15, 38l behind Raslan (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft.