hld up in rr, som hdw 4 out, btn wh fell 2 out
led 4th to after next, lost pl 8th, styd on wl flat
led, msk 1st, hdd 4th, led again after 5th, rdn and hdd 3 out, wknd appr last
in tch, rdn appr 4 out, sw left and msk 3 out, k on
in tch, hdw 7th, rdn and e.c last, not qn flat
a.p, pecked 4th, led 3 out, drv out
blnd 8th, al towards rr
Nicky Henderson normally does well in this race but we would have preferred it if he had relied on Isio rather than Regal Exit. Henry Daly has his jumpers in fine form and Marcus Maximus is one for the short-list. Something of a standing dish at the Shropshire track over hurdles, he warmed to his task on his fencing debut here when second to Allimac and will appreciate the slightly longer journey. Nick The Jewel is a course and distance winner but will do well to defy his penalties, as his trainer reckons that he is still a bit weak. Krabloonik was second to Tysou at Sandown on his first outing for Alan King, but failed to progress next time at Huntingdon and is best treated with caution. Jaybejay has to be considered as he is not badly treated on his chase debut, but in a tricky one to call, the TEAMtalk vote goes to Gimmick. Hailing from a very much in-form yard and with an equally on-fire jockey (Tony Dobbin) in the plate, the ex-Venetia Williams inmate who was quite useful over hurdles, was having his first run for two years at Market Rasen in October. As he was quite high in the ratings, Jonjo O'Neill decided to send him chasing and judging by his second to No Need For Alarm at Chepstow it is only a matter of time before he goes one better. It could be here.
