held up towards rear, not fluent, ridden 4 out, kept on same pace from next
held up, headway 7th, ridden after 4 out, one pace from 3 out
chased leader, led after 4 out, ridden and under pressure when jumped left 2 out and again when headed last, rallied to regain lead last 100 yards
chased leaders until behind from 6th, soon struggling, tailed off
held up, steady headway 9th, went 2nd 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, led last, headed last 100 yards, held towards finish
held up in touch, weakened 4 out
led to 3rd, chased leaders, outpaced from 2 out
held up in rear and pulled hard, led 3rd, headed after 4 out, soon weakened
always behind, struggling after 6th, tailed off
Rathmulen may do better now sent handicapping but Henrietta Knight's gelding is hard to recommend on all known form so far and a safer bet looks to be Investment Affair, who gets the vote with King Diamond rated the pick of the remainder. The selection has shown improved form of late, winning at Bangor at the beginning of the month before finding one too good back at the same venue two weeks later. Don McCain's gelding can race off the same mark again today and he looks worth backing to go one better today. Chigorin ran creditably in defeat at Sedgefield last month and warrants respect on that evidence, while Hansomelle is fit from the flat but has yet to win a race over hurdles and she may be best watched. King Diamond disappointed when last seen in January but could be of interest following that break and is potentially well treated but a better bet looks to be Investment Affair, who gets the vote.
Investment Affair (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, 2nd of 12, 12l behind Sninfia (10-9) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
King Diamond (FR) 10-3 (10-11) Held up and behind, no chance approaching 2 out, 6th of 7, 43l behind Josear (10-8) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Rathmulen (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Towards rear, headway 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 13th of 17, well behind Marufo (11-12) at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
He's My Man (IRE) 100-1 (10-1) Soon well behind, tailed off from 4th, last of 17, well behind King's Head (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Chigorin 12-1 (11-9) Held up, mistake 7th, headway under pressure 3 out, ridden, kept on approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 16, 7l behind Justwhateverulike (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs (5) gs in Apr.
Hansomelle (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Disputed 2nd to 6th, rallied under pressure after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, never able to challenge, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Wondersobright (10-13) at Plumpton 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Apr.
Champagne Rossini (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, rallied 4 out, stayed on from last, no impression, 3rd of 9, 18l behind Loita Hills (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Busy Man (IRE) 11-1 (9-11) Pulled hard, held up towards rear, mistake 4th, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 4th of 9, 9l behind Floodlight Fantasy (9-9) at Fakenham 2m ldy hcp hdl (5) gf.
Charlie Castallan 80-1 (10-11) Led, mistake and headed 2nd, ridden 5th, behind from 7th, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Roby De Cimbre (11-0) at Fakenham 2m beg chs (4) gf.
