made virtually all, not fluent 2nd, ridden and edged right after 2 out, stayed on gamely
raced in last, not fluent 3rd, mistake 8th, struggling next, well behind 12th, pulled up before 14th
chased leaders on outside, went 2nd from 12th, ridden before 3 out, held before last, kept on
chased leaders, went 3rd after 4 out, ridden after next, weakened 2 out
led 2nd, soon headed, chased winner, not fluent 11th, lost 2nd next, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
Fr Humphrey isn’t getting any younger but won at Fontwell and Huntingdon last year. Almost Gold is less exposed and has shown enough to suggest he can find a race off this sort of mark and he’s preferred to Lord In Red and Thomas Shelby with the latter probably preferring some ease in the ground. KINGS TEMPTATION was always travelling best over further here 10 days ago and, despite jumping right on occasions, won easily. He’ll be fancied to defy a penalty if in the same mood.
Kings Temptation 5-1 (11-7) Jumped right, led 3rd, headed 5th, led 10th, hit 13th and 15th, clear from 3 out, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jul beating The Happy Chappy (10-3) by 6l, 9 ran.
Lord In Red (GER) 16-1 (11-0) Towards rear, struggling 12th, behind before 16th, pulled up after, at Warwick 3m 5f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Thomas Shelby (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 4th of 10, 20 3/4l behind Loud As Lions (11-0) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Almost Gold (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, pushed along after 12th, hit next, weakened before 4 out, 9th of 13, dist behind Findusatgorcombe (10-13) at Exeter 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Fr Humphrey (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Led 2nd, headed next, tracked leader, ridden and every chance from 2 out, driven to lead towards finish, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Water Wagtail (10-2) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
