chased leader, challenging when hit 12th, ridden after 14th, kept on same pace from 3 out
led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on, not pace of winner
mid-dividsion, ridden and headway after 15th, 3rd and held when mistake last
in touch, mistake 10th, went 2nd 13th, mistake 15th, soon ridden, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, blundered 10th, rdiden after 15th, one pace from next
in touch, hit 12th, soon ridden, mistake 14th, pulled up before next
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, one pace from next
behind, mistake 11th, lost touch from next, tailed off
held up towards rear, smooth progress from 14th, led 2 out, soon quickened clear, eased flat
The vote in this valuable handicap goes to Harry's Dream, with Unleash and See You Sometime rated as his main dangers. Having landed a Cheltenham handicap off a mark of 138 on his final start last season, the Paul Nicholls-trained Napolitain is respected although lack of a recent run is of concern. Also, given that he is eight pounds better off for a short head based on that race, Unleash looks set to be a contender today. However, he is trained by Philip Hobbs, who also saddles Harry's Dream, who finished last season on an upward curve of improvement and, given that stable jockey Richard Johnson has elected to ride him, he gets the vote. See You Sometime landed a Grade 2 chase in February and comes here fit following a recent spin, while Key Phil will not lack for fitness although he has a career-high handicap mark to defy if he is going to win. Finally, with his stable going well, Glacial Delight is one to keep an eye on in the betting. Once again, though, the vote goes to Harry's Dream.
Napolitain (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Led 1st and soon headed, stayed prominent, not fluent 8th, outpaced 16th, headway 4 out to dispute lead 3 out, led last, all out, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) gd in Apr beating Unleash (11-6) by a shd, 6 ran.
See You Sometime 8-1 (10-7) Prominent, ridden when jumped left 3 out, soon switched right, led soon after last, headed post, 2nd of 8, hd behind Sir Rembrandt (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf in May.
Unleash (USA) 9-2co-fav (11-12) Mid-division, jumped slowly 5th, driven along when mistake next, headway after 9th, edged right approaching last, no extra, 5th of 9, 11l behind Grave Doubts (10-1) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Jun.
Mr Fluffy 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, headed next, soon weakened, 8th of 10, well behind Kings Brook (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Sept.
Key Phil (FR) 5-2 (10-2) Took keen hold, always prominent, led 4th, drew clear from 2 out, mistake last, easily, won at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept beating Grand Slam Hero (11-9) by 10l, 11 ran.
Yardbird (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, hit 9th, mistake 14th, ridden to chase leader 17th, left in lead 4 out, soon ridden and headed next and weakened, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Napolitain (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) gd in Apr.
Black de Bessy (FR) 33-1 (10-6) Jumped right, towards rear, kept on from 2 out, never dangerous, 11th of 21, 17l behind Dun Doire (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Glacial Delight (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Held up behind, good headway 11th, led 12th, went right 3 out, not fluent left, stayed on well, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) frm in Apr beating Menphis Beury (10-6) by 2l, 7 ran.
Harry's Dream 4-5fav (11-12) Held up mid-division, smooth headway 7th to track leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, hard ridden and headed line, 2nd of 10, hd behind Rosses Point (11-7) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Nice Try (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Held up, mistake 9th, headway 12th, ridden 3 out, weakened towards finish, 4th of 9, 10l behind Darina's Boy (11-0) at Haydock 2m 6f nov chs (3) gs in Apr.
