in touch, dropped to rear and reminders 6th, not fluent 10th, no chance when blundered 13th, tailed off when pulled up be fore 14th
with leader, led 14th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on well flat
held up in rear, headway 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
prominent, ridden approaching 4 out, switched right after 3 out, in 3rd and beaten when blundered 2 out, weakened last
held up in rear, not always fluent, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
made most to 15th, stayed chasing winner, no impression final 100 yards
held up, in touch, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, 4th and beaten when went right 3 out
held up, rear of main group, still in touch when slipped on landing and unseated rider 13th
Nonrunner
KILDONNAN is a fanciful selection in a very open race; Orphelin Collonges, Tricky Trickster join Sharajan and Borero on the shortlist. Jim Old's nine-year-old has had his problems and was off the track for almost two years before returning at Warwick in February. That was not a bad effort and he has no problems with this forecast soft ground for his chasing debut. Sharajan fell at the first at Newbury recently on just his second fence start; he evidently has a bit to learn but they continue with the blinkers. Matcho Pierji also took a tumble last time and it will be interesting to see his level of confidence and the markets', whilst Tricky Trickster's opening handicap mark of 117 may not be the ceiling of his ability. Orphelin Collonges threatened last time out but his effort petered out and it is hard to know his ideal distance. Or Jaune and Alfasonic are both fairly consistent and need consideration, however recent winner Borero is of more interest. He didn't impress on his recent UK chasing debut but accordingly the handicapper may have been lenient with just a 3lb rise in the weights. A toughie, but preference is for Kildonnan.
Alfasonic 18-1 (10-12) In touch until 12th, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Lodge Lane (10-12) at Exeter 3m nov chs (3) sft in Nov.
Tricky Trickster (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) Led to 2nd, pressed leader, blundered 9th, led after 13th, hit 4 out and soon headed, no chance with winner from 2 out, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Shouldhavehadthat (11-4) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Kildonnan 10-1 (11-1) Held up, went 3rd when hit 6th, soon pushed along, weakening when mistake 7th, no chance when mistake 2 out, 5th of 6, 38l behind Tino Tino (9-11) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Sharajan (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) fell in race won by Shouldhavehadthat (11-4) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Keepitsecret (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Hampered and unseated rider in race won by Rustarix (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs, 10 ran.
Tank Top 10-11fav (11-0) Led until fell at the 6th in race won by Belon Gale (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (4) sft, 7 ran.
Matcho Pierji (FR) 13-2 (11-8) In touch, ridden when blundered and unseated rider at the 12th in race won by Wizard of Edge (10-0) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft, 8 ran.
Borero (FR) 11-4fav (11-5) Chased leaders, reminders 8th, led 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov beating Stagecoach Opal (10-12) by 1l, 8 ran.
Lancaster Sound (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, blundered 8th, lost touch from 14th, tailed off, 6th of 10, 37l behind Rustarix (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Or Jaune (FR) 11-2 (11-2) Held up in touch, slow 4th, ridden 3 out, beaten when hampered 2 out, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Tartak (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Orphelin Collonges (FR) 12-1 (11-8) Chased leader, led 9th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened approaching next, 5th of 10, 20l behind Rustarix (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
