led, hit 2 out, ridden approaching and challenged last, soon headed, no extra towards finish
towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders and keen on inner, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
held up towards inner, headway after 4 out, ridden and no impression before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, effort from 4 out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, chased leaders 8th, pushed along 10th, weakened 4 out
held up towards rear, headway 9th, ridden and one pace from 3 out
held up mid-division on inner, headway approaching 3 out, ridden before 2 out, challenged last, soon led, held on well
held up mid-division, pushed along and lost place approaching 9th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
behind, headway approaching 10th, weakened from 4 out
prominent until dropped to mid-division 5th, weakened approaching 9th
close up, reminder approaching and weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Festival King made all to win over a shorter trip over fences at Ayr last month. He races off a 6lb higher mark here however and, though handling softer ground, won't find it as easy to dominate this big field. Soprano hinted at a return to form over C&D three weeks ago and has place claims again but he has a bit to find with VALLANI on the form book. The six-year-old finished with a rare flourish in the latter's race to get within a length of winner Everaard and can go one better off a 3lb higher mark. Fairynuff won a Carlisle bumper last season but hasn't shown a great deal over timber so far. However, this is the grey's first appearance in a handicap and the much longer trip may also bring about some improvement.
Festival King (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Led from 1st, made rest, ridden clear before last, kept on well, won at Ayr 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jan beating Lahib The Fifth (11-5) by 5l, 12 ran.
Norwest (IRE) 9-4 (11-8) Tracked leader, not fluent 6th, pushed along 8th, weakened 3 out, last of 6, 43l behind Maolisa (10-11) at Perth 3m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jul.
Fairynuff 66-1 (11-5) Mid-division, pushed along approaching 3rd, behind 3 out, 11th of 16, well behind Cucumber Run (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Soprano (GER) 20-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division on inner, pushed along after 4 out, kept on on from after next, took 3rd flat, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Everaard (10-11) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jan.
Proficiency 50-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 22l behind Aneyeforaneye (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Waltham Abbey 50-1 (9-8) Held up mid-division on outer, hit 2nd, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 9th of 12, well behind Stopped Out (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Miss Tarantella 12-1 (10-3) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, well behind Saintly Lady (10-10) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Wotchalike (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Chased leaders on inside, led approaching 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, kept on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Pugnacity (10-1) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Vallani (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) Held up mid-division, ridden before 2 out, headway before last, stayed on well towards finish, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Everaard (10-11) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jan.
Just Posh 20-1 (9-11) Led to 2nd, tracked winner, lost place after 4 out, kept on same pace under pressure from 2 out, no impression, 5th of 15, 17l behind Sunarri (11-0) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Almutaham (USA) 28-1 (11-0) Towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 38l behind Tigre D'aron (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Papa Drew (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, blundered 9th, weakened before 5 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Aghill (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m Conditional Handicap Chase (0-100) (5yo+) (4) gd in Jan, 7 ran.
Soneva Gili (IRE) 40-1 (10-3) Towards rear and raced wide, pushed along after 7th, weakened 8th, tailed off, 11th of 17, well behind Wor Rom (11-4) at Newcastle 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
