tracked leading pair, went 2nd 5th, blundered next, ridden after 9th, lost 2nd next, beaten when blundered 2 out and last
took keen hold, tracked leader, slow and lost 2nd 5th, disputing 2nd from 9th, chased winner and ridden 4 out, no impression and beaten next
jumped well, made all, came clear from 3 out, unchallenged
not fluent 1st, took keen hold tracking leading pair, blundered and unseated rider 5th
Nonrunner
Despite taking a keen hold, MEREHEAD kept on strongly to win a novices' handicap hurdle at Ascot on his return to action. He has the size and scope to do well over fences and looks to have been let in lightly here. Lidar ran a lot better at Lingfield last time following a disappointing debut over fences at Fontwell and should be winning soon while The Cockney Mackem was just beaten in a driving finish at Aintree last time, though is 5lb higher today. The four-year-old Celtus won three times over hurdles in his native France but has been no favours by the handicapper and Gandalfe hasn't been seen since running the enigmatic Mamlook to a neck at Sandown in March.
Gandalfe (FR) 25-1 (10-5) Led at strong pace, blundered 4th, clear 4 out until approaching next, joined 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, rallied gamely towards finish, always held, 2nd of 4, nk behind Mamlook (11-1) at Sandown 2m nov chs (3) gd in Mar.
Celtus (FR) 12-1 (11-9) In touch in mid-division, closed on inside 5th, pushed along and losing place when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by What A Charm (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar, 23 ran.
Lidar (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Led, strongly challenged from 3 out, headed last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Renard (11-8) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs.
The Cockney Mackem (IRE) 4-1 (10-6) Disputed 2nd until settled in 3rd after 3rd, challenged going well between horses 2 out, upsides last, soon ridden, stayed on and every chance flat, just held, 2nd of 6, ns behind Edgardo Sol (10-7) at Aintree 2m Novice Handicap Chase (0-135) (4yo+) (3) gd in Oct.
Merehead (FR) 6-1fav (11-7) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, mistake 7th, chased leaders approaching 2 out, upsides last, led flat, driven out, won at Ascot 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Oct beating Psi (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
