led until 3rd, prominent until lost place 10th, tailed off 16th
held up in rear, headway after 5th, chased winner next, hit 14th, lost 2nd approaching 16th, tailed off 18th, pulled up after
ran in snatches, mid-division, headway approaching 11th, weakened 18th
held up in rear, not always fluent, progress to go 5th 18th, not fluent 3 out, no impression before 2 out, stayed on flat
mid-division, not fluent 15th, headway next, chased winner 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out
held up in rear, mistake 14th, lost touch 17th, tailed off
tracked leaders, not fluent 12th, chased winner approaching 16th until 4 out, no impression approaching 2 out, no extra towards finish
prominent, not fluent 4th, ridden 3 out, no impression, stayed on flat
tracked leader, led 3rd, clear 18th, ridden out
Some dire recent form has seen Hopkins return to his last winning mark, but backing him is a risky proposition at present, even if the market speaks well of him and preference is for SUPREME KEANO, while Fine By Me could make a bold bid from bottom weight. The last-named goes well here, having won over course and distance, and stamina is very much his forte. Although he has won once on good ground, the best of his form has been on a softer surface and that, coupled with the fact the he is 8lbs higher than his best winning mark means we will just take him on. Rimsky would have a chance at his best, but he too is better with some cut and still looks a bit high in the handicap, and the same comment applies to another course winner in Ballygalley Bob. Conversely, Alexanderthegreat relishes a sound surface and although now long in the tooth, he is well handicapped on his best form and a market check is advised. The selection, however, is Supreme Keano. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding has been runner-up on his last two runs and stays well. He tends to race on softer ground but with some Strong Gale on his dam's side of the pedigree there is no reason why he shouldn't act on good, and he can gain reward for some recent consistency today.
King Harald (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, reminders and weakened 15th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Gidam Gidam (11-0) at Doncaster 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Feb, 16 ran.
Hopkins (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Led until 4th, prominent, led approaching 10th until 12th, weakened 13th, soon in rear, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Nicto De Beauchene (10-11) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Rimsky (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, went well held 3rd approaching 3 out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Nicto De Beauchene (10-11) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Supreme Keano (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Not fluent and jumped right, well in rear, reminders before 5th and 14th, headway after 17th, chased winner before 3 out, no impression when jumped right 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Boris The Blade (10-4) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan.
Trigger The Light 16-1 (11-2) Always rear division, no chance when blundered 13th and 14th, tailed off, 6th of 11, 41l behind Nicto De Beauchene (10-11) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Back Exit (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, lost place 8th, not fluent 13th, tailed off next, last of 9, well behind Plum Pudding (10-8) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Feb.
Alexanderthegreat (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden before 12th, disputing 5th 4 out, soon beaten, 6th of 12, 19l behind The Shy Man (11-4) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
BallyGalley Bob (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Prominent, weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 6, 32l behind Zanzibar Boy (10-12) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Fine By Me (IRE) 9-1 (9-11) Never travelling towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 12th, in a race won by Richard's Sundance (11-9) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan, 15 ran.
