hampered and unseated rider 1st
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, led approaching 2 out, kept on
led, blundered 6th, 3 lengths clear when fell 9th
held up mid-division, headway 11th, ridden to chase leaders 5 out, weakened 3 out
in touch, weakened 11th, mistake 13th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, weakened 6th
tracked leaders and keen, mistake and unseated rider 7th
in rear, badly hampered 1st, soon well behind, not recover
tracked leaders, mistake and unseated rider 3rd
held up in touch, headway 8th, left in lead 9th, ridden when headed 2 out, kept on under pressure
held up towards rear, ridden and headway 8th to chase leaders, weakened 14th
in rear when jumped badly left 1st, headway 8th, in 4th when unseated rider 11th
tracked leaders, lost place 4th, lost touch 8th, pulled up before 11th
held up towards rear, headway 11th, ridden and weakened 5 out
Rhythm King, Spring Margot and Lord Nellerie are all on the short list and our verdict is for the first mentioned. Early carnage meant that he was not extended at Fakenham on his bid for a six timer but extremes of ground do not appear to phase him and he is likely to be a very warm order. Spring Margot was a useful chaser under rules but has disappointed in hunter chases. He tends to have developed an unfortunate habit of coming on and off the bridle but the trip should hold few concerns this afternoon. Lord Nellerie fell at the second in a recent Ludlow Hunter Chase. Proven on the surface, there are chances if he stays on his feet. Royal Snoopy has gone well in the past on this surface and the ex-Charlie Mann horse has to be a player if fit enough on reappearance. Maximise has his own ideas about the game and it says a lot that neither Henrietta Knight or Martin Pipe could get to the bottom of him. Lord Youky loves fast ground but his enthusiastic jockey does have an unfortunate habit of unseating. The market should offer most clues but Rhythm King is in good nick at the moment and looks the percentage call.
Rhythm King Evensfav (12-1) In touch, led 11th, blundered last, ran on, won at Fakenham 2m 5f nov hts chs (6) gd beating Ruggtah (10-8) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Spring Margot (FR) 5-2jt-fav (12-7) Towards rear, mistake 3rd, ridden and headway 11th, weakened after 3 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Telemoss (12-4) at Bangor 2m 4f hts chs (6) gs in Feb, 11 ran.
Lord Nellerie (FR) 10-3 (11-7) In touch when fell at the 2nd in race won by Enitsag (11-11) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gf, 18 ran.
Millenium Way (IRE) 2-5fav (11-7) won at Charing 3m ptp gd beating Indoux (11-0) by 8l, 6 ran.
Royal Snoopy (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 10, 26l behind Gaiac (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m hts chs (H) gf in May.
Corkan (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Led to 5th, lost place from 8th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Sea Ferry (11-7) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hts chs (6) sft, 7 ran.
Gudlage (USA) 9-2 (12-0) 3rd of 7, 19l behind Traditional (12-0) at Cothelstone 3m ptp gf.
Jarod (FR) 6-1 (12-0) 8th of 15, 48l behind Selassie (12-0) at Bitterley 3m ptp gd.
Lord Youky (FR) 16-1 (11-0) unseated rider in race won by Father Tom (11-0) at Maisemore Park 3m ptp gd, 9 ran.
Maximize (IRE) 25-1 (12-5) 4th of 14, 27l behind Unmistakably (12-5) at Chaddesley Corb' 3m 2f ptp gd.
Springwood White 10-1 (12-0) 4th of 9, 47l behind Young Thruster (12-0) at Andoversford 3m ptp gd.
The Granby (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) With leaders, led 5 out, headed approaching next, soon weakened, 6th of 16, 28l behind Ramirez (11-5) at Newbury 3m hts chs (6) gd in Mar.
Mustang Molly 25-1 (10-7) 5th of 7, well behind Sylphide (10-7) at Kimble 3m ptp gd.
Wink And Whisper 4-1 (11-11) 2nd of 8, 4l behind Ball In The Net (12-0) at Hackwood Park 3m ptp gd.
Billywill (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) 3rd of 10, 8l behind Alpheus (12-0) at Andoversford 3m ptp gd.
Come On Boy 66-1 (11-5) Led briefly 2nd, chased winner to 7th, weakened approaching 9th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 4 out pulled up 4 out in race won by Denvale (12-3) at Towcester 3m hts chs (5) gs, 8 ran.
