jumped left 1st, held up, mistake 5th, hampered and fell 8th
towards rear, jumped left 3 out, carried left and badly bumped 8th, not recover
tracked leader, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
badly hampered and unseated rider 1st
held up, jumped left 7th and 8th stumbled and fell after 11th
led and jumped left 1st, headed 4th, ridden 4 out, chased winner after 2 out
held up and hampered 1st, ridden 13th, stayed on from 2 out
hampered 1st, tracked leaders, led 4th, hit 13th, ridden 3 out, kept on
in touch, ridden 4 out, soon held
Nonrunner
Three last time out winners seem to have the best claims on this strong handicap chase and although Mount Benger is in the best form of his career KEW JUMPER looks to have been the best treated after re-assessment and he has the call to score with Porters Way also in the mix. The pick is up just the three pounds for winning by just over a length last time in the same class of contest. He ran on nicely that day to suggest he is open to a little more weight and he has been competitive off this mark in the past. Mount Benger has won seven of his last 10 starts and as a result has climbed up the handicap. He won a decent looking contest last time but he only just scrapped home so the seven pounds extra on his back looks prohibitive. Porters Way won a fast ground handicap over distance at Fontwell on his last run and although also up seven pounds he is unexposed enough to improve. Storm Of Applause could be well handicapped now but is dropping down in the weights for a reason so we turn our attentions the way of Kew Jumper.
Patman Du Charmil (FR) 6-1 (10-6) In touch, rider lost iron 1st, not recover, pulled up after 4th, in a race won by Tell Henry (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd, 9 ran.
Herecomestanley 50-1 (12-0) Towards rear, never dangerous, 16th of 29, well behind Trust Fund (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (2) gd.
Porters War (IRE) 5-2 (11-11) Tracked leader, led 6th, ridden clear before last, driven out flat, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Space Cowboy (10-6) by 4l, 6 ran.
Kew Jumper (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) In touch, mistake 11th, ridden after 13th, led 3 out, challenged last, ran on, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar beating Pepsyrock (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Storm of Applause (IRE) 3-1fav (10-10) Soon tracking leaders and keen, blundered 10th when losing place, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 9, 27l behind Ordre de Bataille (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Midnight Gold 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, blundered 9th, soon ridden, weakened after 4 out, left 4th when hampered 3 out, 4th of 7, 35l behind Pop Ahead (11-4) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Cold Harbour 10-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, hampered 8th, soon lost touch, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Quarl Ego (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Tyup Pompey (IRE) 22-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, lost place after 9th (water), behind when mistake next, 7th of 9, 42l behind Fier Normand (11-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Ede'iff 6-1 (11-10) In touch, joined leader 15th, ridden, led 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 10, 34l behind Dennis The Legend (11-4) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
Mount Benger 33-1 (11-3) Patiently ridden in rear, headway approaching 2 out, closed on leader to challenge after last, driven and stayed on gamely flat to lead towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd beating Saphir Des Bois (11-2) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
