in rear, mistake 2nd, soon pulled up
chased leaders, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, reminder after 9th, headway 3 out, no impression 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
held up towards rear, mistake 5th, headway 10th, switched right after 2 out, weakened flat
chased leaders, jumped left 1st, challenging when mistake 3 out, led last, driven out
in rear, mistake 2nd, pulled up before next
mistake 1st, chased leader until 10th, outpaced before 4 out, stayed on under pressure flat
in touch, hampered 1st, not fluent 7th, jumped slowly and lost place next, no impression after
mid-division, bumped 1st, mistake 3rd, not fluent 8th, ridden after next, soon behind
jumped right, led, headed last, no extra final 100 yards
in touch, challenged after 2 out, stayed on flat, no impression on winner
jumped right and bumped 1st, always behind, tailed off
mistake 1st, held up towards rear, mistake 7th, behind 11th, pulled up before 4 out
Prince des Marais is in cracking form but is worth taking on here and we do so in the shape of NIKOS EXTRA, who gets the call ahead of Nikola and Warpath in a good race for the time of year. Our selection steps down in trip but it's of no concern as, despite the fact he does get three miles without any fuss, his winning performances have actually come over this sort of trip on good ground. Alan King finally seems to be getting his string into top shape and this lightly-raced chaser remains one to keep on the right side if kept on the go throughout the summer. Nikola appeals as a well enough handicapped horse and Nigel Twiston-Davies has done well to keep his runners in good form for so long now. He's not actually won a handicap over fences yet but races here off 127 having been fourth off 130 in a fair race last time, so his turn should arrive sooner rather than later. Warpath represents a yard in form and won cosily despite a bad blunder last time. He's considered despite shooting up the weights with conditions set to be ideal. Prince des Marais has been impressive at a lower level of late but there have to be stamina doubts now upped in trip whilst Kew Jumper, who is fairly handicapped, is 11 now and may find younger legs winning the day. Indeed, it's to the other end of the age spectrum we go with Nikos Extra getting the vote.
Battlecry 16-1 (10-4) Held up mid-division, towards rear when blundered and unseated rider 7th, in a race won by Always Waining (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f list hcp ch (1) gs in Apr, 27 ran.
Nikola (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, tracked winner 10th until hit 4 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 10, 19l behind Nedzer's Return (11-3) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Nikos Extra (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, hampered 3rd, blundered 12th, hit 5 out, chased leaders approaching 4 out,led narrowly after 2 out, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Bally Wall (10-1) at Ayr 3m 1f nov chs (2) gd in Apr.
Good Company (IRE) 4-5fav (11-12) Held up in rear, headway 7th, went 2nd 4 out, challenged winner after 3 out, upsides 2 out, soon ridden, mistake last, not able to recover, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Farmer Frank (11-13) at Towcester 2m hts chs (6) hvy in Apr.
Warpath (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Always prominent, hit 12th, blundered next, led after 3 out, hit last, ran on well, eased close home, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Apr beating Magnetic Pole (10-8) by 5l, 8 ran.
Free Gift 14-1 (11-3) In touch, blundered 6th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Kew Jumper (10-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Oct.
Cossack Dancer (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, mistake 8th, soon lost 2nd, outpaced 10th, rallied to go 2nd approaching 3 out, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 6, 21l behind Picaroon (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Apr.
Silmi 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 7th to chase leader, led before omitted 3 out, narrow advantage when fell 2 out, in a race won by Montgermont (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb, 9 ran.
Kew Jumper (IRE) 10-3 (11-1) Held up, headway 4th, hit 7th, chased winner 3 out, mistake 2 out, closed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Pickamus (11-12) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Safari Adventures (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Led until 8th (water), weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 10, 20l behind Nedzer's Return (11-3) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Prince Des Marais (FR) 13-8fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, led going well after 3 out, clear approaching last, easily, won at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Apr beating Tooka (10-12) by 17l, 4 ran.
Flake 11-2 (10-13) Disputed lead until 11th, lost place 4 out, 4th of 5, 36l behind Sagalyrique (11-7) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Amble Forge (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway to dispute 5th 8th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Pret A Thou (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb, 8 ran.
