held up in touch, ridden 13th, outpaced by leading pair from 3 out, plugged on approaching last
led, jumped right and mistake 7th, tracked leader, mistake 10th, ridden and lost place 14th, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, hit 12th, ridden and weakened 4 out, tailed off when jumped right last
in touch in rear, ridden 14th, outpaced by leading pair 3 out, plugged on approaching last
tracked leader, left in lead 7th, joined 13th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace
in touch, progress to join leader 13th, ridden to lead 2 out, stayed on flat
The hat-trick seeking Three Chords is still heading in the right direction and is lightly-raced for his age. But he's been put up 8lb since having to work quite hard to get the better of Bench Warrant over C&D last month, though should still confirm that running with Ray Mond. Rey Nacarado never threatened when favourite at Kempton last time and may need a stiffer test of stamina, while Circus Of Dreams appears to have lost his way. VICTORIAS GROOM hasn't quite been at his best so far this season but is now 9lb lower in the weights than winning this 12 months ago and a return to this track, where he is unbeaten, should see him in a better light.
Three Chords (IRE) 3-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, smooth headway 3 out, led before next, not fluent last, soon challenged, hard ridden, all out, won at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan beating Bench Warrent (11-6) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Ray Mond 10-3 (11-3) Led, jumped right 1st, headed 13th, weakened after 3 out, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Three Chords (10-12) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan, 7 ran.
Victorias Groom (GER) 20-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden in 5th before 4 out, weakened and no impression when went right next, lost modest 4th last, weakened flat, 6th of 11, 32l behind Sona Sasta (10-11) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Circus of Dreams 16-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, ridden after 10th, disputing 6th and in touch 4 out, weakened from next, blundered badly last, 6th of 9, 25l behind Bugsy's Boy (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Rey Nacarado (IRE) 13-8fav (11-2) Mid-division, chased leaders 6th, close up and effort 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened from next, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Rear Gunner (11-8) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Wellforth (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Towards rear, behind when pulled up before 6 out, in a race won by Curragh Grey (10-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 in Dec, 16 ran.
