in touch, mistake 13th, pushed along 15th, effort after 4 out, weakened next
chased leaders, hit 17th, outpaced 4 out, rallied approaching last, not much room and switched right flat, stayed on, no impression near finish
chased leader, ridden after 4 out, led on inside after 3 out, kept on gamely flat
behind, mistake 2nd, not fluent 14th, brief effort 17th, weakened before 4 out
ran in snatches, outpaced and jumped left 12th, never dangerous after
led, narrowly headed after 3 out, blundered 2 out, driven and every chance last, not quicken flat
Eurotrek, Ken'tucky and Calvic are shortlisted in this handicap chase and the vote is given to Eurotrek. The selection should have too much class for his rivals here and although he was disappointing when pulled-up when last seen out at Aintree 12 months ago, he probably bounced that day. He has ground conditions to suit and as he has gone well fresh in the past he is difficult to oppose. Ken'tucky should give him most to think about as he won well when last seen out, but he is best on a faster surface and for that reason we will take him on today. Calvic has won with plenty of cut in the ground but he is another who prefers a fast surface. He won twice towards the end of last season and is clearly progressing in the right manner, but this is his most difficult assignment to date. Limerick Leader has at least had the benefit of a recent run but he has plenty to prove at present and for the winner we return to Eurotrek who gets the confident vote.
Eurotrek (IRE) 8-11fav (11-8) Chased winner, hit 2nd, reminders 15th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Baron Windrush (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs (B) sft, 3 ran.
Ken'tucky (FR) 3-1 (11-0) Made all, jumped left 2nd, mistake 15th, quickened clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Hereford 3m 1f beg chs (E) gf in Sept '04 beating Champagne Harry (11-0) by 14l, 4 ran.
Native Ivy (IRE) 11-4 (11-3) Chased leaders, led 12th, clear after 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Doncaster 3m beg chs (E) gd in Mar beating Guthrie (11-3) by 7l, 11 ran.
Calvic (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Patiently ridden and held up last, not fluent 9th, closed steadily from 14th, went 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, in command before last, all out, finished tired, won at Plumpton 3m 2f nov chs (D) sft in Feb beating Sonnant (11-4) by 5l, 5 ran.
Limerick Leader (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) With leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 8, 21l behind Bushido (11-2) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Oct.
Kelantan 9-1 (10-13) Tracked winner until ridden after 3 out, rallied flat to just be denied for 2nd, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Naunton Brook (11-8) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Oct.
