close up, reminders 1st, mistake next and dropped to rear, behind and pulled up before 8th
mid-division, ridden and headway to 3rd 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd near finish
led, headed 3rd, bumped and led again next, headed 9th, weakened 4 out
tracked leader, hampered 4th, led 9th, ran on flat, eased near finish
mid-division, progress to chase winner 9th, hit 2 out, no extra and lost 2nd near finish
mid-division, progress to 4th 4 out, no impression after
in rear, ridden and weakened 4 out
tracked leader, led 3rd, jumped right and headed next, ridden and weakened 3 out
It may just be worth taking a chance with KING OF CASTILE ahead of Omix D'or and Cross Compliance amongst others. The selection showed promise as a young horse in bumpers but has yet to deliver and remains a maiden after ten starts; three of which have been for this yard. He clearly isn't a reliable proposition but this isn't a strong race and he may improve for the switch to chasing. Omix D'or has run well the last twice and merits a place on the short-list as a result as he's equally effective under these faster conditions and is a winner over course and distance. Cross Compliance won his sole start in an Irish point and may yet be able to add to that success under Rules and this sort of contest should be well within his grasp and he remains unexposed after just four starts over fences. Work Boy ran as well as can have been expected at Sedgefield last time and has a more realistic task in this company whilst Pacco's best form would put him right in contention but all have something to prove, including the selection King Of Castile.
King of Castile 4-1 (11-8) Tracked winner to 5th, in touch, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before next, in a race won by Callerlilly (11-7) at Chepstow 3m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan, 9 ran.
Tighe Caster 50-1 (11-7) Always in rear, reminders from 9th, 9th of 18, 26l behind Craiglands (11-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hts chs (5) gd in May.
Toulouse Express (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Led to before 7th, hit next, soon lost place, outpaced 9th, no impression from next, weakened 2 out, 6th of 8, 26l behind Raysrock (11-12) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Work Boy 7-1 (11-0) Always prominent, chased winner 5 out, blundered 3 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 18l behind Vforvictory (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (4) sft in Jan.
Omix D'or (FR) 9-4fav (11-7) Mid-division on inside, headway 14th, weakened approaching last, 4th of 10, 13l behind Wherrimon (11-1) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy.
Cross Compliance (IRE) 9-2fav (10-0) Mid-division, headway and in touch 13th, driven and outpaced 3 out, no impression from next, 4th of 15, 20l behind BallaBriggs (11-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
No More Punts (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Pressed leader to 10th, soon ridden and dropped to rear, last when stumbled after 11th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Killfinnan Castle (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Furze Hill (IRE) 18-1 (11-6) Led until 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 14, well behind Wherrimon (11-7) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-85 (5) gd in Feb.
Pacco (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Mid-division, fell 8th, in a race won by Bradford Boris (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy, 10 ran.
