tracked leader, led before 3rd, headed after 4th, challenged last, ridden and every chance run-in, kept on and held near finish
held up mid-division, weakened after 4 out
tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out
mid-division, headway from 3 out, went 5th before 2 out, one pace
held up towards rear, weakened from 4 out
mid-division, headway from 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, one pace
held up towards rear, led after 4th, headed before 2 out, weakened from last
always behind, weakened from 4 out, tailed off
led, jumped right 1st, headed before 3rd, led again before 2 out, soon hard pressed, hard ridden run-in, held on gamely
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
This is a sharp track and it may not suit VOLPONE JELOIS (NAP) but Paul Nicholls’ French import, who has won four times on the Flat, is the one to beat on his debut second over hurdles at Fontwell. Casper King is on the cusp of becoming disappointing, despite only finding one too good in his first five races in bumpers and over hurdles, but Warwick third Unblinking should be capable of better as he’s been very lightly raced. Zipple Back has been placed at Wetherby and Kempton and should also go well while Argus won three times on the level up to 1m4f for Ralph Beckett, though makes his hurdling debut for a new yard today.
Casper King (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Prominent, not fluent 4 out, weakened before next, eased, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Thomas Campbell (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m mdn (3) gd in Oct.
Cheltenam De Vaige (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off, 9th of 13, dist behind Kayf Grace (10-5) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Gios Last (GER) 66-1 (10-12) Held up, towards rear, not fluent when slightly hampered 5th, pushed along and struggling before 3 out, never on terms, tailed off when mistake 2 out, 12th of 13, dist behind London Prize (10-12) at Leicester 2m (4) gd in Dec.
Goosen Maverick (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up, always behind, tailed off 4 out, 10th of 15, dist behind Geordie Des Champs (11-10) at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) gd in Dec.
Sigurd (GER) 66-1 (10-13) Mid-division, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 14, dist behind Kiwayu (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Sep.
Soulsaver 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, badly hampered 2nd, tailed off 3 out, 16th of 18, dist behind Movewiththetimes (11-4) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gs in Dec.
Zipple Back (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up in last trio, headway tracking leaders after 3 out, 3rd 2 out, well held when mistake last, 3rd of 7, 8 1/2l behind Lough Derg Spirit (10-12) at Kempton 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Spader (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, slightly hampered 4 out, 2nd next, soon weakened, 6th of 14, dist behind Tyrell (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Unblinking 25-1 (10-12) Held up, towards rear, stayed on approaching 2 out, went 3rd flat, never near front pair, 3rd of 14, 17 1/4l behind Tyrell (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Vincent's Forever 2-1fav (10-12) Keen, close up, ridden and weakened 2 out, 9th of 12, dist behind Linger (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec.
Volpone Jelois (FR) 2-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, chased winner after last, kept on, 2nd of 9, 3 1/4l behind Rainbow Dreamer (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Dec.
Argus (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Close up, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 19 1/2l behind To Be Wild (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Icey Steel 20-1 (12-0) Trckd ldrs til wknd 15; pu 2 out, at Cothelstone 3m mdn gf in May.
Pokari (FR) 6-4fav (10-12) Tracked front pair, went 2nd halfway, poised to challenge over 4f out, led over 1f out, pushed out, well in command inside final furlong, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (6) gd in Sep beating Third Estate (11-5) by 3 3/4l, 4 ran.
