led, ridden 6th, headed soon after, weakened 8th
tracked leaders, mistake and lost place 3rd, behind from 7th
mid-division, mistake 4th, weakened 7th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, headway when mistake 5th, blundered 8th, lost place, behind when blundered again 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 6th, reminders 8th, kept on to chase leader 2 out, led close home
mid-division, heaway 7th, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden and headed close home
held up, headway after 4 out, soon one pace
tracked leaders, close up 7th, led after 4 out, headed 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, headway 4th, tracked leader 5th, led after 6th, headed after 4 out, weakened quickly, behind when pulled up 2 out
towards rear, not fluent 2nd, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, soon held
It may prove worth taking a chance with PHAR AGAIN in a competitive race where a good number can be given chances including the penalised Launde and Huguenot. Launde endured a spell in the doldrums but a return to his optimum trip saw him return to winning ways at Wincanton and he's well enough weighted under his penalty to think that he can go close. Tyup Pompey is also penalised following a win in an eventful handicap at Ludlow; this looks less competitive but it'd be wrong to read too much into the form. Kervriou eventually got his head in front at the tenth attempt and that may have given his confidence a boost whilst Keepthedreamalive has slipped back to a decent mark but prefers further. Naxox and Mango Catcher can't be ignored whilst Rapide Plaisir still held every chance when falling at Chepstow and hails from a yard that does well with its chasers here. Huguenot can blow a bit hot or cold but won easily on his last visit to this track and is respected although an 8lb rise for his win at Newton Abbot would appear to be something of an overreaction. The selection has done little to commend his chances of late but he did beat Ping Pong Sivola at Leicester in December on heavy ground when wearing a visor for the first time. The runner-up wasn't seen to her best effect that day and conditions are different but he has the ability to be a factor and, in a tight race, a chance is taken with Phar Again.
Launde (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Chased leader, led approaching 5th, ridden after 4 out, kept on gamely from last, won at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf beating Mibleu (10-9) by 1l, 10 ran.
Keepthedreamalive 33-1 (11-11) Never travelling or jumping in rear, ridden 7th, soon struggling, tailed off 11th, 8th of 9, well behind Fire And Rain (10-6) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Phar Again (IRE) 11-4fav (11-9) Held up, headway 7th, went 2nd after 4 out, weakened after next, 5th of 6, 16l behind Dominican Monk (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Kervriou (FR) 5-4 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up in rear and well off the pace until 2nd, headway 7th, went 2nd 9th, led after 3 out, headed last, regained lead towards finish, won at Huntingdon 2m nov chs 0-115 (4) gf beating Silver Adonis (10-12) by 1l, 5 ran.
Mango Catcher (IRE) 10-3 (10-7) Held up, smooth headway 4 out, led on bit 2 out, headed approaching last, faded, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Bazart (10-2) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Huguenot (IRE) 4-1fav (11-2) Chased leaders, led 4 out, hit last, kept on well, ridden out, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd beating Twist Bookie (11-7) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Rapide Plaisir (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up, closer order 6th, close up when fell 5 out, in a race won by Aheadofhistime (10-6) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd, 10 ran.
Tyup Pompey (IRE) 22-1 (10-1) Hampered 1st, tracked leaders, led 4th, hit 13th, ridden 3 out, kept on, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd beating Midnight Gold (10-8) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Naxox (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden to press winner after 3 out until next, no extra, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Huguenot (11-2) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd.
Bollitree Bob 14-1 (11-6) Set good pace, headed 4th, led 7th until next, weakened after 4 out, last of 10, 39l behind Huguenot (11-2) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd.
