held up, hit 2nd, effort 9th, weakened after 4 out
jumped well, pulled hard in touch, left in lead briefly 7th, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, ran on well
in touch, not fluent 5th, led after 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, close 2nd, held when pecked last
tracked leader until 4th, cloaked 3rd, ridden and effort after 4 out, weakened 2 out
behind, never going pace to get on terms
held up, weakened 6th, behind and pulled up before 9th
tracked leaders and keen, not fluent 1st, hit 2nd, not fluent 5th, left in lead when blundered badly 7th and headed, not recover and pulled up before 9th
in touch until blundered 7th, not recover and pulled up before 9th
led, hit 6th, fell next
Nonrunner
Although comprehensively out pointed last time, Count Kristo was rather unlucky to come up against a very well handicapped horse in Island Flyer, who has since subsequently scored impressively. Rated 112 over hurdles, a notably discrepency remains between his chase and hurdles mark and while he has been finding a few too good in recent starts we are prepared to give Count Kristo another chance. Farmer's Lad is another worthy of respect based on the fact he got off the mark on only his second start over fences, that being his handicap debut over the larger obstacles. Up 7lb for that outing, the second has been well beaten since which makes the form suspect while he shaped like a horse that would prefer further. Sou'wester is an in and out performer and appears to reserve his best for left handed courses. Inn For The Dancer has yet to get on the score sheet but there will not be much to chose between himself and Farmer's Lad based on their Taunton clash. Count Kristo is the nomination to get back on track with a win here.
Zorro De La Vega (FR) 11-2 (11-6) Held up in rear, some headway 9th, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 5th of 9, 44l behind Lysander (11-3) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Sou'wester 7-2 (11-2) Soon close up, led 2 out, clear last, ran on well, won at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs beating Nemetan (11-4) by 6l, 7 ran.
Farmer's Lad (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Prominent, headway 7th, led 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on well, won at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Feb beating Et Maintenant (11-12) by 2l, 8 ran.
Count Kristo 11-8fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, pressed winner after 9th, ridden 3 out, beaten after last, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Island Flyer (10-11) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs.
Compton Star 13-2 (11-9) Mid-division, reminder 5th, weakened 8th, 6th of 8, 33l behind Farmer's Lad (11-12) at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Feb.
Penfull (FR) 10-1 (10-7) In touch, lost place 5th, mistake 13th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Maori Legend (10-4) at Towcester 3m chs 0-90 (5) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Odal D'airy (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Chased leader, joined leader 4th, ridden approaching 5 out, weakened after 4 out, 6th of 17, 44l behind Aheadofhistime (10-4) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Feb.
Sistema 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, effort after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 39l behind Lord Lieutenant (9-7) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy.
Littleton Aldor (IRE) 9-2 (9-13) Led and soon clear, jumped right 4th and 5th, veered badly right 7th, ridden and headed when mistake 2 out, weakened last, 2nd of 5, 13l behind Carly Bay (10-9) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Inn For The Dancer 9-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden 3 out, one pace, 4th of 8, 5l behind Farmer's Lad (11-12) at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Feb.
