chased winner to approaching 11th, weakened 12th
made all, clear 13th, pushed out
close up, went 2nd approaching 11th, outpaced 13th, kept on approaching last, no chance with winner
in touch, not fluent 1st, ridden after 10th, weakened after 3 out
Nonrunner
Seven runners go to post for this handicap chase and each of them can be given a chance in what looks a competitive race; however, we will go opt for the Henrietta Knight-trained Wencelas, with Romany Dream and Twenty Degrees suggested as the ones for the minor places. Wencelas was well beaten in a hot novices' handicap last time out over three miles but this return to a shorter trip will suit Paul Moloney's ride. Twenty Degrees was a winner last time out and he represents the in-form Gary Moore stable. He will not be troubled by the ground and gets weight from the other fancies so his chance is respected. Romany Dream has already won twice round this course but, for us, looks a little high in the handicap at present. Of the others, Mondial Jack looks interesting; the ex Martin Pipe-trained gelding has contested much classier races than this but, on the downside, he has not won since May 2004. Once again, then, Wencelas gets the tentative vote.
Wenceslas (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Led, headed 10th, ridden and weakened 16th, soon tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Alderburn (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Feb.
Lord Dundaniel (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, one pace from next, jumped left last, 3rd of 11, 15l behind Von Origny (11-0) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Romany Dream 20-1 (10-0) In touch until ridden and weakened 8th, last of 8, 23l behind Madison Du Berlais (11-3) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Twenty Degrees 8-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, mistake and headed last, rallied to lead run-in, won at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Feb beating Mystical Star (10-13) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Soeur Fontenail (FR) 14-1 (10-10) Led, ridden when narrowly headed 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Spectrometer (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Day du Roy (FR) 20-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden and blundered 4 out, weakened before next, 7th of 8, 22l behind Madison Du Berlais (11-3) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Mondial Jack (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, weakened 8th, 5th of 6, well behind Young Lorcan (10-13) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy.
