led until 2nd, tracked leaders, not fluent 2 out, soon switched right, edged left when close 2nd after last, no impression on winner towards finish
held up, left 4th 6th, not fluent and outpaced 3 out, went 3rd last, stayed on same pace, no impression
led 2nd, often jumped left from 6th, headed next, headed 13th, led after 14th, headed 4 out, one pace from 2 out
always prominent, led 7th, headed after next, led 13th until after 14th, led again 4 out, stayed on well
held up in touch, mistake and unseated rider 6th
prominent, blundered and unseated rider 6th
Most of these arrive in very good form especially Muldoon's Picnic, who has completed a hat-trick though not in ground as testing as this. He's also jumped moderately on occasions and might find this beyond him. Renard D'Irlande won a Uttoxeter handicap when subsequent Fakenham winner San Telm was tailed off but couldn't overcome a 7lb rise at Newbury. LE REVE hasn't had much luck to date and had little chance at Cheltenham last time but has the scope to do better and is handed the vote in a tricky little race. Edmund Kean is the real fly in the ointment on his chasing debut as he's looked smart in the past though he was tailed off in a Listed hurdle at Cheltenham on his reappearance. Whats Happening won four races in Ireland but has been struggling at the weights since joining Tom George.
Whats Happening (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Took keen hold in last pair, mistake 2nd, pushed along and outpaced after 8th (water), poor 5th when blundered 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Benvolio (11-0) at Newbury 3m (3) gs in Dec.
Muldoon's Picnic (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Held up, jumped left 7th, closed before 13th, bad mistake 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, challenging when left well clear at fence, eased into trot over line, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Oct beating Tigre D'aron (10-10) by well, 4 ran.
Le Reve (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Held up, not fluent 2nd or 4th, jumped slowly and lost ground on rivals 5th, closed after 11th, pushed along from next, outpaced 16th, well held from 4 out, went 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 4, 29l behind Sam Winner (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) gd in Dec.
Edmund Kean (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Towards rear, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous, tailed off, 16th of 17, well behind Return Spring (9-13) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Nov.
San Telm (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, left in 4th and slightly hampered 6th, reminders after 8th and after 12th, went 3rd 4 out, ridden and quickened to lead between last 2, soon clear, easily, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec beating That's The Deal (9-10) by 15l, 6 ran.
Renard D'irlande (FR) 11-4 (10-6) Held up tracking leaders, went 4th 14th, pushed along soon after, ridden before 3 out, weakened soon after 3 out, 4th of 5, 12l behind Easter Day (11-0) at Newbury 2m 6f (3) gs in Nov.
