led, not fluent 3rd, narrowly headed after 9th, stayed handy unti weakened 4 out, tailed off
jumped left, held up, not fluent 3rd and 9th, blundered 11th, soon beaten, tailed off
mistakes 1st and next, in touch until dropped to rear 6th, soon lost touch, behind when unseated rider 10th
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4 out, led 3 out, driven and in command after next, pushed out and kept on strongly flat
tracked leader, mistake 9th, led narrowly soon after, headed and mistake 3 out, weakened into 3rd next
held up in 4th, blundered 5th, headway to 3rd 4 out, went 2nd and mistake 2 out, no chance with winner
There's little to choose between The Polomoche and KING'S FOREST on these terms but we'll side with the latter in what could develop into a match. Emma Lavelle is a talented trainer and her gelding ran with credit behind Copper Bleu when stepped up in grade at Cheltenham. He wasn't given too hard a time when beaten that day and prior to that had progressed into a decent novice chaser, in the process showing this good ground serves him well. He's got a solitary pound in hand of The Polomoche and there should be little between them, with Nicky Henderson's horse still having the potential to progress beyond his official mark if his hurdles rating is taken into account. He jumped poorly when disappointing at Musselburgh last time so we're happy to take him on, but conditions are ideal and it'd be no surprise were he to bounce back. Masked Man is next best at the weights and might take third having shown gradual improvement throughout three fencing starts to date having been set some stiff enough tasks. His sole success came on heavy ground at Towcester though so conditions today are far from guarantee to suit Alan King's runner. Rear Gunner showed real potential as a hurdler but hasn't quite taken to chasing with the same zest and can be opposed with Show Winner who ran better than was expected last time but would still be a surprise winner. In a less than competitive race it's King's Forest who is awarded the vote.
The Polomoche (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Mid-division, struggling when jumped left 9th, soon beaten, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Fiendish Flame (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Feb.
King's Forest (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Always behind, 9th of 20, 26l behind Copper Bleu (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Final Bid (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Always in rear, 8th of 11, well behind Folie A Deux (10-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Mar.
Masked Man (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up, chased leaders after 5 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 7, 18l behind Ernst Blofeld (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Rear Gunner (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, not fluent 11th, left modest 4th when blundered and hampered 2 out, 4th of 8, 22l behind Summery Justice (11-0) at Kempton 2m 4f beg chase (4) gs in Feb.
Show Winner 40-1 (10-12) Held up last, left 3rd at 8th, soon outpaced by leading pair, kept on same pace from 3 out, never on terms, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Tchico Polos (11-8) at Sandown 2m nov chs (3) gd in Mar.
