reluctant to line up, held up in rear, headway approaching 11th, ridden after 4 out, led flat, driven out
prominent, raced keenly, weakened approaching 12th
raced keenly, chased leader 2nd until approaching 11th, weakened before next, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway approaching 11th, outpaced after 3 out, mistake and weakened last
mid-division, headway 9th, led approaching 11th, headed 13th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, lost touch from 12th, tailed off
in touch, raced keenly, mistake 5th, led 13th, headed 3 out, regained lead approaching 2 out, ridden before last, headed flat, no extra towards finish
prominent, mistake 7th, reminder after next, weakened approaching 11th, tailed off
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, struggling approaching 11th
ROYAL KICKS can land this handicap chase at the main expense of Jolejoker and Scaramouche. Suzy Smith's 7-year-old does have a penalty for his recent success at Kempton but he won well that day and he looks to be on the upgrade. Jolejoker was only narrowly denied at Chepstow by Dere Lyn when last seen out and he is proven on this ground so he should give our selection the most to do. Scaramouche is another who will go on the ground and he ran well when last seen out. However, that was back in April and he will probably need this pipe opener before he is seen at his best. Magot de Grugy was still travelling well when he was brought down at Chepstow last time so he is another worthy of a mention. However, this looks a good opportunity for Royal Kicks who is improving with each run and he is a confident pick.
Najca De Thaix (FR) 5-1 (11-9) refused to race in race won by Paquet Cadeau (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft, 5 ran.
Mixsterthetrixster (USA) 40-1 (10-13) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway 8th, disputing 2nd from 15th, weakened approaching last, 4th of 15, 16l behind Mister Apple's (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Musical Chairs (IRE) 150-1 (11-3) Raced keenly, pressed leader, led after 2nd, headed 9th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Crescent Island (11-3) at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Magot de Grugy (FR) 4-1 (11-4) In touch, brought down brought down 5 out in race won by Araldur (11-3) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs, 10 ran.
Scaramouche 4-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 9th, stumbled 10th, chased winner approaching 11th, no impression, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Flying Falcon (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov chs (4) sft in Apr.
Thedreamstillalive (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Led until slow jump 11th, ridden after 13th, weakened before 3 out, 3rd of 5, 28l behind Lindsay (11-10) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Jolejoker 11-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, joined leaders 3 out, led when mistake 2 out, soon ridden, headed after last, no extra, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Dere Lyn (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Mar.
Royal Kicks (FR) 5-1 (10-8) In touch, headway 12th, led after 13th, jumped left 3 out, ran on, won at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs beating Creinch (11-12) by 6l, 11 ran.
Major Catch (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) In touch, keen hold, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 23l behind Hi Humpfree (11-9) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in May '07.
Millitant Man 7-2jt-fav (11-10) Mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 11, 32l behind Arctic Shadow (11-6) at Southwell 3m cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gs in Apr.
