tracked winner throughout, challenged 4 out, ridden next, kept on same pace from 2 out, no impression
raced keenly, held up, headway and in touch 5th, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten
always behind, lost touch 6th, tailed off
made all, drew clear from 3 out, driven out
held up in touch, outpaced 5 out, soon beaten
jumped right 1st, chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, never on terms
keen early, held up, 5th and in touch when blundered and unseated rider 6th
King Mak can land the opener at the expense of Chef de Cour and Player. The selection is the pick of the field on official ratings and therefore looks well in. His third behind Symbiosis at Market Rasen reads well and as he is still unexposed as a chaser it looks like improvement is on the cards. Chef de Cour is rated four pounds inferior to the selection and therefore he has it all to do at the weights. Having said that this is a novice chase and things can and do happen. He won over hurdles in November and has since run with credit on both starts over fences. He seems to be growing in confidence and for that reason he has to be respected. As does Player who showed some promise as a juvenile last season and has his first run of the year over the bigger obstacles. He is lightly raced but the yard are in form so any market moves should be noted. But for the winner we return to King Mak.
Cash Man (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, no extra from last, 4th of 9, 18l behind Monolith (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft.
Chef de Cour (FR) 2-1jt-fav (11-0) Held up, no impression from 5 out, 3rd of 6, well behind Gypsy George (11-0) at Ayr 3m 1f beg chs (4) hvy.
Dantor 22-1 (11-5) Led, headed 4 out, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat, 3rd of 11, 20l behind Topaz Lady (11-7) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
King Mak 9-4 (10-11) Led, hit 7th and next, blundered and headed last, ridden and kept on flat, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Symbiosis (10-4) at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs (3) gs.
La Reserve (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 16, well behind Cadoudalas (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Player (FR) 9-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, no extra from 2 out, 5th of 9, 23l behind Soubriquet (10-9) at Kelso 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar '07.
Rossin Gold (IRE) 50-1 (9-8) Mid-division, outpaced when hit 4 out, soon weakened, last of 16, well behind Pilca (10-1) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
