prominent, led 4 out, hit next, strongly challenged 2 out, stayed on gamely
in touch, took closer order 4 out, every chance 2 out, no extra closing stages
led until 2nd, soon lost place and in touch, weakened 8th
held up in rear, never jumped well, pulled up before 5 out
held up in rear, slow 3rd and 5th, soon struggling, never dangerous
in touch, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, mistake 2 out, kept on well under pressure
pulled very hard, soon prominent, led 2nd, headed 4 out, weakened after next, rallied last, kept on
Elenika has gone close on her last couple of starts but has just the one win in 12 outings over fences. Laterly remains 7lb higher than when winning at Leicester in December but Nobunaga has managed a couple of placed efforts since scoring at Cartmel last summer. KING EDMUND has finally dropped back down to a winning mark and it showed at this track last week when he found only Rody too good. Down in grade for this, Chris Gordon's charge can return to winning ways. Swift Lord has a shout on his earlier third at Kempton and is preferred to Mibleu, who has come up short in lesser company of late.
King Edmund 9-2 (11-4) With leader, led 6th, headed 2 out, soon rallied, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Rody (11-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy.
Elenika (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, not fluent 7th, chased leading trio approaching 4 out, went 2nd travelling well just before 2 out, outpaced to 4th final 100 yards, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Fairy Rath (10-1) at Ascot 2m 1f Novice Handicap Chase (0-145) (5yo+) (2) gd.
Nobunaga 9-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, stayed on to 2nd between last two, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Mister Matt (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
Swift Lord (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Prominent on outside, reminder after 4th, outpaced in 3rd before 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to take 2nd before last, no impression with winner, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Not Til Monday (11-6) at Stratford 2m sell hdl (5) gd.
Best Lover (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, lost place before 9th, soon behind, last of 10, well behind Micheal Flips (11-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd.
Mibleu (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd until after 5th, chased leaders until weakened under pressure before 2 out, 6th of 11, 18l behind Royale's Charter (11-12) at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Bay Central (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Gizzit (11-4) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Feb, 19 ran.
Laterly (IRE) 7-2fav (11-3) Behind, fell 1st, in a race won by Mister Matt (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd, 8 ran.
