tracked leaders, blundered 3rd, hit 7th, left in lead 9th, hit 2 out, soon ridden, kept on, ridden out
held up, headway 7th, with winner 9th, every chance 4 out, weakened next
held up, ridden after 4 out, stayed on past beaten horses from next, went 3rd flat
chased leaders, slightly outpaced 7th, stayed on under pressure approaching 3 out, one length down at the last, no extra
jumped right throughout, never travelling in rear, pulled up before 9th
mid-division, headway 9th, ridden in close 4th after 4 out, one pace from next
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened after next
led until fell heavily 9th
Withdrawn
Dictator has shown improved form in his last two starts and has to be respected off what looks a fair mark but preference is for Lamp's Return, who gets the vote ahead of Wizard of Edge. The last mentioned looks to be favourably treated and has claims but would probably prefer a faster surface so may be best watched. Lack of a recent run for Fantastic Arts need not be of concern representing the stable of Venetia Williams and he makes more appeal than recent course hurdles winner Ishka Baha, who lacks a previous outing over fences. Crimson Pirate is lightly raced and could be anything but has a long absence to overcome, while Megapac represents the in-form yard of Noel Chance but is another that lacks a previous run over fences. The vote then goes to Lamp's Return. Alan King's gelding ran a race full of promise behind the useful Marked Man on his chase debut at Warwick last month and, on that evidence, he looks well treated in a handicap off mark of 108.
Crimson Pirate (IRE) 8-11fav (11-2) Made virtually all, ridden out, won at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (E) gd in Mar '03 beating Thumper (10-13) by 5l, 18 ran.
Fantastic Arts (FR) 11-2 (10-9) Led, not fluent 2 out, ridden approaching last, headed close home, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Barney McAll (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (E) gf in Apr.
Megapac (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden 3rd, headway 5th, outpaced 3 out, rallied again to chase leaders 2 out, one pace, 4th of 17, 7l behind Ressource (9-9) at Stratford 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in May.
Wizard of Edge 11-4fav (11-11) Close up, mistake 10th, stayed on same pace from 3 out, left 2nd last, 2nd of 12, 17l behind He's The Gaffer (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Dec.
Dictator (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Tracked winner, left close 2nd 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Wenceslas (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov chs (E) gd in Dec.
Ishka Baha (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Chased leader, challenged after 3 out, led approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd in Dec beating Sweet Oona (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Kinkeel (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Always behind, weakened and pulled up 3 out in race won by Jolly Boy (10-1) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Nov, 15 ran.
Palace (FR) 18-1 (10-0) Tracked leader until weakened after 3 out, 5th of 10, 31l behind Moscow Gold (9-13) at Folkestone 2m nov hcp chs 0-90 (F) gd in Dec.
Towns Ender (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Rear, mistake 2nd, took closer order 8th, ridden 4 out, stayed out, 5th of 16, 11l behind Thalys (11-10) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gs in Feb '04.
Lamp's Return 4-1jt-fav (10-13) Led 1st until 2 out, no extra approaching last, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Marked Man (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Dec.
