held up, badly hampered and left in 3rd place 1st, pushed along and no extra before 2 out
narrowly headed when fell 1st
wore hood to post, held up, left in 4th place 1st, jumped slowly 3rd, outpaced and no chance from 3 out, weakened
led tracking winner 1st, pushed along between last 2, closer at the last, hung left run-in, soon no extra
jumped well, left in clear lead 1st, reduced lead last, stayed on strongly to assert run-in
None of these are ruled out but DOSTAL PHIL was very impressive when travelling strongly throughout at Newbury and he is entitled to improve for the experience. Beaufort West’s spin over hurdles in the autumn should have blown away a few cobwebs and High Up In The Air has been in cracking form at a lower level. Vado Forte usually travels well but doesn’t always find much off the bridle and Antunes may be a few pounds too high on his handicap debut over the larger obstacles.
Dostal Phil (FR) 7-1 (10-7) Keen tracking leaders in 4th, 2nd going well between last 2, led last, shaken and went clear run-in, won at Newbury 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating Funambule Sivola (10-7) by 5 1/2l, 6 ran.
Antunes 20-1 (11-0) Held up behind leaders, in rear but in touch when ridden after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, last of 5, 33 1/2l behind Allart (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f (1) sft in Dec.
Vado Forte (FR) 2-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, awkward 2nd, progress before 7th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 7, 19 3/4l behind Est Illic (10-3) at Doncaster 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Beaufort West (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Midfield, ridden turning for home, led narrowly after 2 out (usual 3 out), mistake last, weakened, 8th of 11, 18 1/4l behind Tea Clipper (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
High Up In The Air (FR) 5-6fav (12-5) Made all, came clear before 2 out, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Jan beating En Coeur (10-0) by 6l, 9 ran.
