in touch, driven to challenge from 4 out, stayed on well under pressure
in touch, effort 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
always behind, pulled up before last
mid-division, headway before 3 out, ridden to challenge next, kept on same pace under pressure
made virtually all, ridden and mistake 2 out, battled gamely and held on well
held up mid-division, blundered badly 6th, soon under pressure, behind when pulled up 10th
always behind, unseated rider 3 out
tracked leaders, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before last
held up in rear when fell 3rd
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 8th, kept on to be remote 4th
This may well prove to be a competitive beginners' chase and it si a race where we will take a chance that Kings Euro can make a winning debut over fences from Alfasonic, In Accord and Triple Mint. The selection was progressive over hurdles, where he never finished out of the first two in four starts and ended by beating a 112 rated runner by eight lengths last summer. Cut in the ground and a test of stamina clearly suits and jumping permitting he looks likely to continue on an upward curve. In Accord is top rated here from a mark of 125 but he has not won in seven chases so far and has taken a few hefty beatings. On the plus side he does stay and act with cut so a win would not be a major shock. Alan King continues to have his runners in great form and Alfasonic certainly comes here with a chance. The gelding doesn't have too many miles on the clock for an eight-year-old and it would be no surprise to see a marked improvement for his chase debut behind Ma Yahab. Also in that race was Triple Mint who had Alfasonic just under two lengths behind that day. The pair meet on the same terms now though perhaps Alan King's runner has most scope for improvement. Dancing Rock and Big Breakfast are others to check oput in the market but preference is for Kings Euro.
Alfasonic 15-8fav (11-0) Held up, reminders approaching 10th, pushed along next, led 5 out, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 26l behind Ma Yahab (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Dancing Rock 11-2 (10-10) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, kept on, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Howrwenow (11-5) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb.
Firth Of Forth (IRE) 20-1 (9-13) Never a factor, trailing when pulled up 3 out in race won by Newbay Prop (9-10) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 gd in Dec, 29 ran.
In Accord 11-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 10th, ridden and no chance from 4 out, 3rd of 10, 19l behind Portland Bill (11-0) at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
Kings Euro (IRE) 2-1 (11-6) Led 1st, made rest, ridden, stayed on well flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jul beating Over The Blues (11-6) by 8l, 12 ran.
Redworth Boy (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, lost place 9th, soon behind and pulled up 5 out in race won by Mr Twins (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Shinjiru (USA) 7-1 (12-0) Prom to 10; t.o, 9th of 16, 47l behind Silver Dollars (12-0) at Cottenham 2m 4f ptp gf in Dec.
The Big Breakfast (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden 14th, lost place approaching 15th, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Air Force One (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs, 10 ran.
Tooka 66-1 (10-11) Soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Sobers (11-6) at Warwick 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy, 8 ran.
Triple Mint (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, hit 7th, weakened 4 out, 3rd of 7, 24l behind Ma Yahab (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
