held up towards rear, behind from 6th, outpaced before 14th, headway after 2 out, kept on and no impression
led, headed 13th, tracked leader, not fluent 12th, weakened from 4 out
held up in rear, in touch, went 2nd and hit 4 out, every chance next, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace
held up behind, in touch, pushed along from 2 out, went 2nd before last, led soon after, ran on strongly
with leader, led 13th, headed after 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leaders, pushed along before 12th, led after 2 out, hung left approaching and hit last, soon headed, kept on, no chance with winner
Sultan Fontenaille has failed to justify favouritism in his last two starts and may be in the handicapper's grip now while Direct Flight, Commemoration Day and Tisfreetdream are difficult to fancy on this season's efforts. Royal Kicks has had a couple of confidence-boosters over hurdles recently and could figure, however, while Daldini is on a very lenient mark nowadays, though was a shade disappointing at Newcastle last time and has done all of his winning on much softer ground than this. DARSTARDLY DICK won the beginners' chase on this card 12 months ago and was far from disgraced when fourth in a much better race at Wincanton on his latest start in January. With his yard in terrific form, the top weight gets the vote today.
Darstardly Dick (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Mid-division on outside, in touch from 5th, every chance 4 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 12, 17l behind Cornish Sett (11-6) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Direct Flight (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) In rear, reminders 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 8th, in a race won by Awesome Freddie (11-12) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Sultan Fontenaille (FR) 6-5fav (11-12) Mid-division, jumped left 16th, headway next, disputed 2nd when hit 4 out, effort next, soon ridden, kept on same pace under pressure from 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Double Dizzy (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Commemoration Day (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Towards rear, dropped to rear and reminders 6th, tailed off 8th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Roi De Rose (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan, 8 ran.
Tisfreetdream (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) With leaders, led 4th to 6th, remained in touch, blundered 15th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 9, 47l behind Honourable Arthur (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Royal Kicks (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden after 4th, struggling after 6th, no chance from next, tailed off, 5th of 18, well behind Pere Blanc (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Daldini 9-2fav (10-0) With leader, led 4th, headed approaching 5 out, ridden to regain lead approaching next, headed after 3 out, weakened last 100 yards, 4th of 10, 7l behind Cavers Glen (10-10) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
