led and soon well clear, reduced lead after 3 out, joined 2 out, headed approaching last, finished tired
raced in 3rd, mistake next, chased clear leader 7th, hit next, closed on leader after 3 out, lost 2nd approaching 2 out, soon weakened
chased clear leader to 7th, closed after 3 out, regained 2nd approaching 2 out, soon upsides, led approaching last, soon clear
always tailed off
Nonrunner
Gentle John can take the odd chance at his fences but is a progressive young chaser who could be hard to catch if putting in a clear round. Fandani could emerge as a danger and it would be unwise to underestimate the remarkable Orpen Wide and Keepthedreamalive. There was little sign that the connection would develop into a decent prospect in his early races over fences and even a comfortable success in January didn't appear to be anything to write home about. However, on his next start he attracted plenty of support in a strong race at Wincanton and marked himself down as an emerging talent with a decent second to Pur De Sivola and his two starts since have done nothing to dispel that impression. Taking jockeys' claims into account, Orpen Wide is the beneficiary of a 25lb swing in the weights with the selection for a 13 length beating at Kempton. He's already proved his effectiveness at this track and simply cannot be left out of calculations. Keepthedreamalive has plenty of experience and should be in the firing line again whilst better things are expected from the useful hurdler Fandani who got the better of the habitual bridesmaid Nikola last time. A few of interest then and the selection still needs to settle better and brush up on his jumping but we believe Gentle John has the potential to land this prize.
Gentle John (FR) 15-8 (11-1) Tracked leader, hit 8th, ridden after 10th, left 2nd and hampered 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 4, 32l behind Takeroc (11-8) at Sandown 2m nov chs (3) gd in Mar.
Fandani (GER) 9-4 (11-0) Keen, tracked leader 2nd, led after 4th, jumped right next, clear from 2 out, eased near finish, won at Leicester 2m beg chs (4) gs in Feb beating Nikola (11-0) by 4l, 5 ran.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 125-1 (11-7) Held up, pushed along after 4th, no chance from 9th, 10th of 14, well behind Tidal Bay (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
The Preacher 22-1 (10-5) Held up 4th, hit 6th, beaten when blundered and unseated rider 5 out in race won by Warpath (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov chs (4) gd, 4 ran.
Keepthedreamalive 8-1 (10-11) Made all, ridden 4 out, kept on gamely from 2 out, pushed out from last, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs in Mar beating Oceanos des Obeaux (11-8) by 4l, 7 ran.
Keltic Moon (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden 8th, weakened after 2 out, last of 13, well behind Something's Up (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Feb.
