chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, weakened soon after 2 out, beaten when hampered soon after last
held up, headway from 3 out, left 2nd last, no chance with winner, just held on for 2nd
chased leader, narrow lead after 5th, half a length ahead and travelling well when fell last
led until narrowly headed 5th, chased leader until outpaced 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, left 3rd last, kept on flat, just missed 2nd
held up, headway approaching 2 out, soon driven and one pace
in touch, ridden after 3 out and soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, driven to chase leaders 2 out, weakened soon after
pulled hard, held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, challenging and going well when left clear last, driven out
held up, driven and weakened soon after 3 out
in touch, headway to chase leaders 5th, driven and beaten soon after 3 out
Nonrunner
Formerly trained by Eoin Griffin in Ireland, Kevkat has to be of interest on his debut for David Pipe but he has yet to translate flat form to hurdles and may be best watched in race taken to go CLOVA ISLAND, who gets the nod ahead of Theft. Nicky Henderson's mare, a bumper winner two years ago, ran better at Ascot earlier this month and has to be of interest off what seems a fair mark. Indian Blood has been beaten some way in all three starts for Paul Nicholls but he may do better now sent handicapping, while Alan King's Aypeeyes has run well off similar marks in his last two starts over hurdles but may have to settle for minor honours again. Clova Island stepped up on earlier efforts over timber when running out a good looking winner of a novice event at Taunton in December and he looks reasonably well treated for his debut in a handicap. Polyfast looks the second best of Nicky Henderson's two runners with Barry Geraghty riding Theft, while Blues In Cee seems a shade high in the weights for what he has achieved so far. The vote then goes to Clova Island, who looks to be going the right way for Philip Hobbs, was good value for his win at Taunton last time and seems well treated for his first start in a handicap.
Polyfast (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Held up, headway to chase leader 4th, challenged 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 9, 16l behind Ronaldo Des Mottes (10-12) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) sft.
Kevkat (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Tracked leaders, ran green early, 6th halfway, 3rd 3 out, improved to dispute lead and wandered at last, kept on, 3rd of 17, 3/4l behind Jewel Of The West (11-4) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl frm in May.
Clova Island 4-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, led soon after 2 out, ran on strongly, readily, won at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec beating Thundering Star (11-8) by 6l, 14 ran.
Theft 16-1 (11-1) Led until approaching 2 out, weakened soon after 2 out, 5th of 7, 16l behind Santia (11-1) at Ascot 2m mrs nov hdl (3) hvy.
Halfway Cut 14-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, blundered 4th, some headway after 2 out, soon beaten, 11th of 16, 26l behind Awesome George (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Aypeeyes (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Took keen hold, always prominent, every chance 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 16, 5l behind Kayf Keel (10-9) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Blues In Cee (IRE) 5-2 (10-5) Keen and with winner, ridden and outpaced from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Stow (11-3) at Haydock 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) sft.
Indian Blood (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up, headway after 6th, plugged on one pace, 7th of 18, 26l behind Show Winner (10-7) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Lepido (ITY) 10-1 (11-4) Held up last, well beaten 6th 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 10, 40l behind Cabinet Minister (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Double Spectre (IRE) 11-2 (11-11) Always rear, struggling 3 out, soon eased, tailed off, last of 14, 42l behind Amnesty (11-4) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Oct '07.
L'Eau Du Nil (FR) 9-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on from last, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind King Caine (11-9) at Taunton 2m 1f clm hdl (5) hvy.
