held up in rear of quintet, headway 10th, soon chasing leaders, led approaching last, pushed clear
prominent, not fluent 9th, every chance when jumped left and fell 2 out
tracked leaders, jumped left 5th, weakened before 3 out
led, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra
tracked leaders, lost place 4th, soon weakened and jumped left after, behind when pulled up 9th
Ungaro will start as hot favourite for this event and he is taken to win again at the expense of newcomer Afrad and Henrietta Knight's Muhtenbar. Keith Reveley's gelding strolled to victory on his chasing debut, and judging by his old hurdles form should have no worries about this longer trip. Afrad is an interesting prospect as he tackles fences for the first time, and if stripping fit after a lengthy absence, he should go well for his in-form trainer. However, it may be that he will come on for this first try over the bigger obstacles, and perhaps of more interest could be the most experienced chaser in the field Muhtenbar. He has had three fair runs over fences, and should be forgiven his slightly disappointing last run as it later emerged that he had burst a blood vessel. In a race where all five runners can not be discounted, we return to the favourite Ungaro as our idea of the winner.
Ungaro (FR) 11-8fav (11-6) Tracked leader, blundered 3rd, smooth headway to lead approaching last, pushed out flat, won at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Oct beating Water Taxi (11-6) by 7l, 8 ran.
Afrad (FR) 6-1 (10-12) Always handy, ridden and led approaching 3 out, headed next, soon one pace, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Mughas (11-5) at Ayr 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Keenan's Future (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) brought down in race won by Yaboya (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (4) , 6 ran.
Muhtenbar 3-1 (11-6) Led, headed 10th, outpaced from 3 out, 4th of 8, 10l behind Tora Bora (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd.
Regents Walk (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Chased leader, led 3 out, ridden, headed just before 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Don't Push It (11-0) at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Oct.
