tracked leader, fell 1st
chased leaders, shaken up 3 out, stayed on same pace, unable to get on terms
held up in rear, mistakes, hampered 1st, closed before 4 out, pressed for 3rd from next until last, unable to get on terms
reminders start, made all, well clear until 6th, jumped right 2 out and last, ran on well
left chasing winner 1st, not fluent next, closed 3 out, driven and no impression flat
held up, reminders from 7th, last 9th, weakened before 4 out
Kudu Country would have finished second at Chepstow last time had he stayed on his feet but this can go to MOUNTAIN KING (NAP). The top weight is still finding his feet over fences but has a lot more scope than his rivals and should be capable of holding his own in better company next season. Swaledale Lad looks too high in the weights judged on his latest effort but Arkaim has been in decent form since winning over track and trip in November and is a possible danger. Un Anjou won at Musselburgh and Taunton before Christmas but was well beaten when tried at this grade at Wincanton last time.
Mountain King Evens (10-12) Jumped right on occasions, not fluent 1st, tracked winner throughout, held from after 2 out, went right and mistake last, eased when no chance run-in, 2nd of 4, 11l behind Tango De Juilley (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) sft in Feb.
Swaledale Lad (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) With leader, led after 5th, headed next, led 8th until 3 out, no extra from last, last of 3, 9l behind Crookstown (11-5) at Taunton 2m nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb.
Kudu Country (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Held up, in touch when blundered 7th, went 2nd 2 out, 1 length down when mistake, stumbled and unseated rider last, in a race won by Oscar Hill (11-12) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs, 6 ran.
Arkaim 7-1 (10-6) Chased leading pair who went clear 2nd, headway before 3 out, no extra from next, 4th of 7, 16l behind Keel Haul (10-0) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Feb.
Un Anjou (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, driven and lost place after 9th, behind when hit 4 out, weakened from next, 5th of 8, 37l behind Minella Definitely (11-2) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Gracchus (USA) 4-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, under pressure before 4 out, effort 2 out, never able to challenge, 3rd of 4, 7l behind Kerryhead Storm (11-12) at Leicester 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs.
