tracked leader, left well clear 5th, cantered
led, 10 lengths clear when quickly pulled up and dismounted before 5th
held up in 3rd, left 25 lengths down chasing winner at 5th until 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
held up in rear, a distant 2nd from 7th, no chance with winner
Air Force One, a bitter disappointment in the Royal and Sun Alliance Chase after his jumping fell to pieces early on, should have little difficulty in overcoming his three rivals here. A top staying novice hurdler, chasing was always what connections have said he will be best at and one could not disagree with their opinions up until last time. In his defence, that was his first time jumping fences at such a fast pace, on ground that would have been softer than ideal. His Reynoldstown Chase second did read particularly well after the Cheltenham contest, with the winner romping home and today should be no more than a confidence booster. Gardasee was a very respectable second in the Irish Arkle in February with his rating also taking a hike consequently. It is impossible to foresee him overturning the favourite. Air Force One can put that effort at Cheltenham behind him and land this.
Air Force One (GER) 6-1 (11-4) Soon in touch, blundered 6th and 11th, hampered 15th, soon ridden, beaten when mistake 3 out, 5th of 11, 24l behind Albertas Run (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Gardasee (GER) 5-2 (11-4) In touch, chased winner 8th, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Nelson du Ronceray (10-2) at Hexham 2m nov chs (3) sft in Mar.
Clodagh Valley (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) With leader until 9th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Magnetic Pole (11-4) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Mar '07, 5 ran.
Desperate Bob (IRE) 200-1 (11-1) Mid-division, lost place 3 out, soon behind, 6th of 11, well behind Classic Chic (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
