keen hold early, held up in 3rd, led chasing group after 4th, hit 4 out, closed up on winner, looked dangerous approaching 2 out, soon driven, found nil
given at least 8 lengths start, maintained clear advantage, given breather after 3 out, ridden, drew clear again after 2 out, eased near finish, unchallenged
led chasing group to after 4th until 7th, 4th, well beaten when blundered 4 out, weakened after, tailed off
took keen hold early, held up, well off the pace, driven along, stayed on approaching 2 out, left distant 3rd at last
took keen hold early, held up, well off the pace, went moderate 3rd at 7th, ridden after 3 out, disputing well beaten 3rd when fell last
tracked clear leader after 2nd until after 4th, 3rd, well outpaced from 5th, struggling after, tailed off
held up last, last 4 out, struggling after, tailed off
Nonrunner
A step up in trip will suit WENDEL down to the ground and he is selected here ahead of Chariot Charger and Doctor Pat. Charlie Mann's grey son of Definite Article was a fine third last time out at the track behind the progressive Alan King horse Medermit. He was only beaten by three lengths at the line despite a few jumping mistakes but they are likely to go slower today and with the step up in trip likely to suit him down to the ground he rates as a confident selection. Chariot Charger has to carry extra weight today like the selection and Emma Lavelle's progressive gelding is an obvious danger. His bumper form behind Bensalem reads very well and two hurdles runs since have resulted in smooth and impressive successes; he steps up in class here but he certainly deserves it. The rest look to be playing for place money, although improvement may be forthcoming from the former point-to-point winner Dreamy Sweeney as he steps up in trip, whilst Doctor Pat makes his hurdling bow in a tough race. An exciting event, in which Wendel is nominated.
Chariot Charger (IRE) 6-4 (11-9) Held up last, headway after 3 out, led on bit approaching 2 out, driven clear flat, won at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan beating Lord Tomnoddy (11-3) by 6l, 14 ran.
Wendel (GER) 14-1 (11-7) Prominent, led and mistake 3 out, ridden and headed when hit next, every chance last, no extra, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Medermit (11-7) at Ascot 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Alldunnandusted (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) In touch, struggling when fell 3 out in race won by Tullamore Dew (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) sft, 10 ran.
Doctor Pat (IRE) 15-8fav (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden and stayed on same pace final 2f, 5th of 16, 12l behind Qroktou (11-2) at Newbury 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Dreamy Sweeney (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Mid-division on outside, led 4th, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 40l behind Karabak (11-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Riddleofthesands (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 25l behind Red Harbour (11-0) at Ascot 2m nhf (4) gd in Nov.
Son Histoire (FR) 100-1 (10-12) In touch, mistakes 5th and 6th, 8th and weakening when fell 2 out in race won by Bakbenscher (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Captain Americo (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden 6th, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 33l behind Oldrik (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
