chased leader after 2nd until 5th, last when mistake 7th, weakened next, pulled up before 12th
in rear, reminders approaching 4th, pecked 11th, weakened 13th, blundered 3 out, went poor 3rd closing stages
held up, headway to go 2nd 5th, led 9th, clear approaching 5 out, hit 3 out, soon ridden and reduced lead, driven out
chased leader until after hitting 2nd, lost place briefly when not fluent 5th, chased winner who was clear 5 out, closed from 3 out, no impression towards finish
led until hit 9th, lost 2nd when mistake 5 out, soon weakened, jumped moderately after
MY FRIEND SANDY looks the sort of horse to do well over fences and he is preferred to Valick and Maktu. Although he is a fairly late recruit to fences at the age of nine, the selection is related to Irish National second Oulart and he looks every inch the chaser. Likely to have been well-schooled, this son of Anshan comes here on the back of a good fourth to Fredo at Haydock. He has won twice at the track and he must go close with a fluent round of jumping, especially if any rain comes. Valick's record in point-to-points is nothing special and his debut under rules here behind Mark The Book was pretty rank. He was unfancied at 18/1 that day so could only be fancied here with sustained market support. Maktu is a course winner and looks a big player judging by his second to Wind Instrument at Sandown. Michael Murphy is good value for his 5lb claim and the pairing should run well. Khumbu fell at the first on his recent chasing debut at Huntingdon so we have no idea of his ability over fences, whilst Allterrain is dropped in grade but still looks likely to struggle. A small field but not straightforward to work out; preference however is for My Friend Sandy.
Allterrain (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) In touch, chased leaders and hit 6 out, no impression from 4 out, 3rd of 5, well behind Junior (11-0) at Doncaster 3m beg chase (4) gd.
Khumbu 14-1 (10-9) Fell 1st, in a race won by Ringaroses (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) sft in Feb, 11 ran.
Maktu 7-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, mistakes 8th and 10th, headway 15th, led 17th until 4 out, led again 3 out, kept on gamely, pressed last, headed soon after, kept trying, 2nd of 9, hd behind Wind Instrument (11-0) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
My Friend Sandy 9-1 (10-10) With leaders, ridden after 4 out, blundered next, soon outpaced, hung left from last, no extra, 4th of 12, 12l behind Fredo (10-11) at Haydock 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Valick (FR) 18-1 (11-0) Keen hold early, held up in rear, pulled 4th when jumped right 12th, left poor 3rd 4 out, tailed off when blundered next, 3rd of 6, well behind Mark The Book (11-0) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) hvy in Dec.
