mid-division when fell 7th
close up, led 4th, headed and stumbled 2 out, soon ridden, weakened flat
in touch, hit 5 out, 5th and beaten when blundered next, soon weakened
held up when brought down 7th
in touch, mistake and lost place 11th, pulled up before next
held up, headway 10th, challenged 4 out, led 2 out, ridden and drew clear flat
close up on inside, effort 4 out, soon outpaced, 4th and beaten when blundered next
led to 4th, remained in touch, reminders 9th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon outpaced
in touch, lost place 11th, behind when pulled up after 14th
mid-division, outpaced 5 out, never on terms
Kerry Lads is given the tentative nod over Silver Knight and Grattan Lodge. Lucinda Russell's charge is invariably sent off at bigger odds than his form allows and while he weakened out of matters close home at Carlisle on reappearance, he is a sound fencer and should be more than capable of giving punters a good run for their money on ground that suits. Silver Knight won this race last year and was not disgraced when second to King Killone last month over course-and-distance. The handicapper does at least appear to be giving him some respite having made life difficult for him in the past. Grattan Lodge has distinct ability but has an appalling completion record for a horse of such talent. Front-running Jungle Jinks runs well around Wetherby but the handicapper has taken no chances by giving a rise of 4lb for winning the proverbial "egg and spoon" race last time out. Mount Clerigo is watched in the market on reappearance but has gone well when fresh. Darina's Boy is unproven with conditions as testing as this so is bypassed. Lampion du Bost is often well punted regardless of whether hurdles or fences are the discipline. He could not be safely ruled out here in spite of being some way out of the handicap. Harrycone Lewis has shown little sparkle of late but his yard are most definitely in form. Many chances can be given on the evidence of formbook and we shall chance Kerry Lads at the likely odds.
Mount Clerigo (IRE) 11-1 (10-4) Led to 2nd, in touch, ridden and mistake 13th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by State of Play (10-2) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 18 ran.
Kerry Lads (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Led 2nd to 6th, tracked leader, led again 9th, headed between last 2, ridden and no extra flat, 5th of 16, 9l behind Twelve Paces (10-5) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Oct.
Grattan Lodge (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Datito (10-0) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov, 8 ran.
Darina's Boy 7-1 (11-12) Led, headed after 7th, weakening when hit 10th, poor 5th when fell 3 out in race won by Supreme Catch (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov, 7 ran.
Elvis Returns 10-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway and prominent 19th, weakened between last 2, 5th of 12, 34l behind Naunton Brook (10-5) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Silver Knight 13-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 10th, led 12th, headed 4 out, one pace, 2nd of 9, 6l behind King Killone (11-7) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Harrycone Lewis 50-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden and outpaced approaching 6 out, weakening when hampered and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Bob Bob Bobbin (11-11) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov, 13 ran.
Jungle Jinks (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Made most until 2 out, led again last, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov beating Jimmy Bond (11-9) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Harrovian 4-1fav (11-7) Ran in snatches, headway 3 out, chased winner after last, no impression, 2nd of 14, 8l behind Skenfrith (10-0) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Lampion du Bost (FR) 20-1 (9-9) Held up, hampered 11th, headway 3 out, one pace, 6th of 20, 14l behind I Hear Thunder (11-2) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
