hampered 1st, in touch, reminders 8th, lost place next, behind when pulled up 2 out
in rear, headway 15th, blundered on landing 17th, led 2 out, ridden out
tracked leader, reminders 7th, led 9th, headed soon after 17th, soon weakened, went remote 3rd last
made most until 9th, dropped to rear 12th, soon weakened
prominent, slow 14th, rallied to lead soon after 17th, headed before 3 out, 2nd and every chance when blundered and fell 3 out
in touch, chased leader 10th until 14th, led before 3 out, ridden and headed next, every chance last, no impression flat
towards rear, headway to track leaders 8th, tracked leader 14th, mistake 4 out, weakened next
Drybrook Bedouin went close over C&D last month and should make another bold bid here off his current mark. Upham Atom is steadily improving over fences and could figure on his handicap debut, but preference goes to CHOUMAKEUR. He's won two of his four chase starts including a victory over a longer trip here on his latest start when he beat today's rival Skipper's Lad. A 12lb rise in the weights may not be enough to prevent him following up and he gets the vote. Marigold's Way produced a slightly better effort last time but Estates Recovery remains out of form.
Drybrook Bedouin 17-2 (10-13) Held up in rear, steady headway 15th, driven and chased leading pair 4 out, ridden and hit 2 out, one pace and well held when went left last, 3rd of 16, 9l behind Ammunition (11-2) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Upham Atom 25-1 (10-12) In rear, jumped slowly 9th, hit next, headway and staying on in 5th approaching 4 out, left 3rd soon after 2 out, left chasing winner last, stayed on flat, always held, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Mr Bennett (10-12) at Exeter 3m nov chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Choumakeur (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Pressed leader, led 13th, clear approaching 3 out, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf beating Skipper's Lad (11-1) by 10l, 7 ran.
Cullahill (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Chased leader, slow 4th, dropped to 3rd 9th, challenged 13th, weakened under pressure before 3 out, 5th of 7, 21l behind Shakalakaboomboom (11-1) at Taunton 2m 7f nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Estates Recovery (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Blundered badly 1st, in rear, some headway after 14th, struggling in 7th when went right 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 12, well behind Mr Bennett (10-12) at Exeter 3m nov chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Skipper's Lad (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Held up in touch towards rear, ridden after 15th, outpaced 18th, rallied to take 3rd 4 out, chased winner 3 out, no impression, mistake last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Choumakeur (11-5) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Marigolds Way 5-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, good headway approaching 11th, chased winner 4 out, led narrowly 3 out, hung right and headed 2 out, no extra and held before last, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Delgany Gunner (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs.
