led, hit 2nd, headed 5th, led again 6th, headed approaching 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out
chased leaders, took keen hold early, in 3rd when fell 5 out
chased leaders, led 5th, headed next, with leader 4 out, ridden and no extra after last
held up mid-division on inner, headway and blundered 5 out, kept on from 2 out, no impression
in touch, ridden and weakened before 3 out
held up towards rear, hit 8th, soon pushed along and outpaced, blundered 14th, never dangerous
held up mid-division, outpaced 13th, plugged on from 4 out, chased leading pair after last, no impression
held up towards rear, blundered 1st, never a factor, pulled up before 4 out
held up in rear, hit 2nd, headway on inner before 4 out, led aproaching 3 out, ridden before 2 out, just held on, all out
chased leader, disputing 5th when badly hampered 5 out, pulled up
held up towards rear, headway 12th, chased winner 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on towards finish, just held
Meanus Dandy and Merigo both departed in the Becher Chase at Aintree in November when travelling strongly. Neither have raced since but could figure here along with Killyglen, who was runner-up in this last year off a 2lb higher mark. Former stablemate Presenting Forever has claims on his second to the progressive Midnight Chase at Cheltenham in December and holds Beat The Boys on that run, but Minella Four Star has been creeping up the handicap despite not winning and Always Right was put up 12lb after winning at Kelso last month. Ogee and Ringaroses could both improve for their comeback runs but the weights point to a big run from CHARACTER BUILDING. The ground has come right for John Quinn's grey, who often comes good at this time of year, and he's shown enough in recent runs on softer going at Cheltenham and Ffos Las to suggest he can play a leading role here.
Killyglen (IRE) 2-1fav (10-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and dropped to 3rd entering straight, no impression from before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Four Chimneys (9-11) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Dec.
Presenting Forever (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 5th, went 2nd 13th, led narrowly 3 out, looked likely winner before last until idled and hung badly right flat, headed close home, 2nd of 16, nk behind Midnight Chase (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Dec.
Beat The Boys (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led until approaching 2nd, led 12th until 13th, led 16th, headed 4 out, led again before 3 out until after 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Eric's Charm (10-11) at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) gd in Feb.
Ogee 11-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, blundered 3rd, headway 11th, chased leaders 13th, every chance when blundered 4 out, well beaten 5th when blundered badly 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 17, well behind Midnight Chase (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 3f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov.
Meanus Dandy (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Tracked winner to 8th, mistake 11th, 5th and in touch when unseated rider 15th ( canal turn), in a race won by Hello Bud (10-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) gs in Nov, 17 ran.
Merigo (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division on outside when fell 11th, in a race won by Hello Bud (10-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) gs in Nov, 17 ran.
Character Building (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Raced in rear, headway after 5 out, under pressure 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 11, 24l behind Blazing Bailey (11-10) at Ffos Las 3m 4f hcp chs (2) gs in Feb.
Ringaroses 25-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden 9th, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 17, 42l behind Ashkazar (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Always Right (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Held up in touch on outer, chased leaders 12th, led last, kept on well run-in, pushed out, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb beating Camden George (10-12) by 8l, 8 ran.
Minella Four Star (IRE) 9-1 (10-3) Led, not fluent 10th, strongly challenged 2 out, hard ridden when headed after last, kept on, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Blazing Bailey (11-10) at Ffos Las 3m 4f hcp chs (2) gs in Feb.
Lothian Falcon 16-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, pushed along before 12th, weakened from 4 out, 5th of 8, 33l behind Rambling Minster (10-13) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Feb.
