chased leaders, hit 10th, went 2nd 13th until approaching 3 out, soon weakened
reminders after 3rd, soon well behind, pulled up before 11th
in touch, ridden after 4 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th until 13th, regained 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, flattered briefly after last, soon held
tracked winner until 8th, outpaced approaching 14th, weakened approaching 3 out
made all, stayed on well, ridden out
ROYAL AUCLAIR is the pick of this bunch with Herecomestanley and Harrycone Lewis as the dangers. All credit to Royal Auclair for taking the honours over an inadequate trip at Sandown and at this level, he really should be capable of seeing off rivals that he would have happily destroyed under rules. Herecomestanley didn't do a lot wrong in the aforementioned race. The bold jumper appears fated to find life difficult against his nemesis again. Harrycone Lewis has left Carl Llewellyn though has proved disappointing in points. Derawar was ordinary under rules but has discovered the winning habit since switching to the pointing field. El Hombre Del Rio is a regular in Hunter Chase events though shouldn't be good enough on paper. Honourable Spider is a consistent type between the flags though this will be a stiff examination this afternoon. Royal Auclair can follow up his recent Sandown success.
Derawar (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) (cp) hdwy 12; led 17; r.o wl, won at Dunthrop 3m 5f ptp sft in Jan beating Touch Closer (11-0) by 11l, 6 ran.
Harrycone Lewis 5-1 (11-7) (cp) nvr gng wl; t.o & pulled up in race won by Roaringwater (11-7) at Detling 3m ptp gd in Jan, 6 ran.
Herecomestanley 11-1 (12-1) Chased leader until 7th, stayed handy, ridden after 3f out, headway to challenge 2f out, led last, caught near finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Royal Auclair (11-5) at Sandown 2m 4f hts chs (6) sft.
El Hombre Del Rio (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) A.p; rdn 3 out; one pce, 2nd of 13, 15l behind Lord Of Illusion (12-0) at Chipley Park 3m ptp sft in Jan.
Honourable Spider 3-1 (12-7) Cl up; rdn & outpcd app 3 out; no ch w wnr, 2nd of 16, 20l behind Cappa Bleu (12-0) at Horseheath 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Royal Auclair (FR) 11-8fav (11-5) In touch, blundered 2nd, headway 8th, hit 4f out, soon ridden and lost place, rallied under pressure from 2f out, stayed on well flat, lead near finish, won at Sandown 2m 4f hts chs (6) sft beating Herecomestanley (12-1) by a nk, 7 ran.
