in rear, headway before 7 out, weakened from 5 out
led to 2 out, weakened and lost 2nd place after last
tracked leader, weakened after 3 out
towards rear, headway before 7 out, blundered 7 out, went 2nd before 5 out, led 2 out, clear after last, stayed on well
prominent on outer, pushed along before 7 out, soon lost place, ridden and weakened before 5 out
held up towards rear, pushed along before 7 out, headway before 6 out, chased winner run-in, no impression
There are only six runners in this but it's probably the best race on the card, though it's probably worth opposing Greywell Boy from a couple of pounds out of the handicap. Bennys Mist has gone up another 7lb since winning the second of two races at Wincanton last month while No Planning may have been a bit flattered by the margin of his victory at Wetherby. Persian Snow has a bit to prove having gone up another 2lb since being beaten by Mr Moonshine over course and distance last time and What A Warrior has been unable to take advantage of a tumbling mark lately. UXIZANDRE faces his stiffest task so far over fences but has impressed in his two victories to date and has a couple of entries at The Festival - he can defy top weight.
Uxizandre (FR) 8-11fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd, led next, went left 5th and 4 out, going easily after 3 out, clear when hit 2 out, easily, won at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Nov beating Funny Star (11-1) by 17l, 5 ran.
Bennys Mist (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Chased leader, mistake 2nd, led after 8th, hit 3 out and headed, pressed leader, led again last, kept on well flat, eased close home, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Jan beating Rouge Et Blanc (10-8) by 3l, 9 ran.
No Planning 6-4fav (11-1) Pressed leader, led narrowly 6th, made most after, driven and 3 lengths advantage when left clear 3 out, unchallenged after, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) hvy beating Doeslessthanme (11-12) by 15l, 6 ran.
Persian Snow (IRE) 5-2fav (10-5) Tracked leaders, every chance before 2 out, one pace from last, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Mr Moonshine (11-4) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs (2) hvy.
What A Warrior (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Tracked leader until 8th, stayed well there, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 7, 32l behind Bury Parade (11-6) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) hvy in Jan.
Greywell Boy 8-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 9th, lost place approaching 4 out, well beaten next, 7th of 11, 30l behind Eastlake (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Dec.
