chased leaders until weakened 8th, tailed off
held up in touch, steady headway from 12th, challenged 4 out, every chance when blundered 3 out, no extra from next
led to 6th, tracked winner, mistake 8th, lost 2nd 12th, stayed in touch until weakened after 4 out
chased leader to 6th, soon lost place and behind
mistake 1st, held up in touch, steady headway to track leaders 10th, tracked winner 12th, narrow leader when blundered 3 out, soon headed, 3rd and held when blundered last
soon tracked leaders, led 6th, blundered 13th, narrowly headed after 4 out, stayed challenging, led soon after 3 out, in command next, stayed on well
always behind, reminder after 7th, lost touch 10th, tailed off
always in rear, tailed off from 12th
Liverpool Echo has found one too good in each of his last three starts and may again have to settle for a minor role with preference for Copsale Lad, who gets the verdict ahead of True Mariner. The last mentioned was pulled up after making a bad mistake behind Figaro Du Rocher last time and may be better judged on his earlier effort behind Duncliffe over course and distance. Alfa Sunrise has given little sign of encouragement over fences so far and of more interest may be the Philip Hobbs-trained Croix de Guerre, who has been running consistently well over hurdles this term but has yet to prove his effectiveness over fences. Henry Daly has his string in good form at present so there may be more to come from Liverpool Echo, who has done little wrong without winning a race but Copsale Lad is potentially different class to his rivals and is taken to open his account over the larger obstacles today. Nicky Henderson's has wasted no time in putting the son of Karinga Bay over fences and although he got no further than the sixth fence on his chasing bow at Doncaster in December it may be too soon to write off the eight-year-old. He is taken to give Kempton's leading trainer another winner at the track.
Alfa Sunrise 25-1 Led until 4th, prominent until not fluent 7th, tailed off when jumped badly right 4 out and pulled up 4 out in race won by Tana River at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chs (D) gs in Jan, 6 ran.
Copsale Lad Evensfav Tracked leader, led approaching 4th, blundered badly and unseated rider at the 6th in race won by Lacdoudal at Doncaster 2m 3f beg chs (E) gd in Dec, 5 ran.
Durlston Bay 66-1 Mid-division, mistake 12th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 10, 24l behind Clever Thyne at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (E) gd in Jan.
Earl's Kitchen 9-2 In touch until ridden and weakened 3 out, 12th of 16, well behind Hashid at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Croix de Guerre (IRE) 13-2 Towards rear, headway before 2 out to chase winner, led last, soon headed flat, not pace of winner, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Supreme Serenade at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gd in Jan.
Liverpool Echo (FR) 6-4fav Held up, chased leaders from 6th, ridden and effort approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Tana River at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chs (D) gs in Jan.
Stolen Song 14-1 In touch, mistake 8th, outpaced before 4 out, stayed on to take modest 3rd before last, 3rd of 7, 31l behind Silver Inngot at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) sft in Jan.
True Mariner (FR) 11-2 Held up, headway 4th, weakening when pecked badly 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Figaro du Rocher at Warwick 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Jan, 7 ran.
