always in rear
in rear, mistake 8th, pulled up soon after
led, blundered 3rd, not fluent 5th, headed 9th, weakened next
in touch, chased winner 4 out, every chance 3 out, no impression from 2 out
tracked leader and jumped left throughout, led 4 out, ridden 2 out, clear last, ran on well
in touch, closer order 8th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out
alway in rear, lost touch 3 out
Nonrunner
City Streets is an interesting runner here making his debut over fences off what may be a fair mark after just two starts over hurdles; however, Jonjo O'Neill's gelding was a major disappointment last time and may be best watched in a race where a chance is taken with Hail The King over Karoo. The selection has been hard to win with but does have his ideal trip and ground conditions here and makes appeal at the likely odds. Major Blade is capable but may just be a shade high in the weights, while Reflector is hard to recommend on all known form. Rich Song failed to complete on his last two starts and may do better following a break but is unconvincing and of more interest may be Karoo, who showed better form behind the in-form Rowdy Yeats last time. In a moderate contest it is Hail The King that is marginally preferred though and he gets the vote.
Hail The King (USA) 16-1 (11-5) Towards rear, some late progress, never a factor, 9th of 16, 32l behind Nicki Boy (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
City Streets 5-1co-fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, weakened 4 out, beaten when pulled up 2 out in race won by Silencio (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd, 13 ran.
Jack's Lad (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden 6th, mistake 9th, soon behind, 7th of 8, well behind Lucifer Bleu (10-7) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Major Blade (GER) 13-2 (10-11) In touch, joined leaders 4 out, led briefly 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Haunted House (11-12) at Ludlow 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Karoo 12-1 (9-11) Held up, ridden after 9th, stayed on from 3 out, 4th of 9, 15l behind Rowdy Yeats (10-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Rich Song (IRE) 66-1 (10-6) Held up, behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Notanotherdonkey (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Oct, 15 ran.
Hayley's Pearl 125-1 (10-0) Towards rear, blundered 3 out, kept on from 2 out, never dangerous, 4th of 13, 24l behind Rapide Plaisir (11-0) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gf in Apr.
Reflector (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Mid-division, progress before 4th, no impression on leaders after 5th, 8th of 18, 29l behind Rebel Raider (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
