tracked winner, challenged and upsides from 3 out, chance when blundered last, rallied flat
not fluent, held up in touch, mistake 16th, stayed on under pressure to dispute 3rd 2 out, kept on well flat
chased leading pair disputing 3rd and looked held when 2 out, kept on flat
raced in 4th until blundered and dropped last 6th, pushed along when not much room bend after 4 out, weakened next
jumped well, joint 3 out, in command last, stayed on well flat
The name of this race could well be apt on this occasion, with plenty of talent on view, including the selection, Colonel Frank, Lord Sam, Calling Brave and Murphy's Cardinal. Brendan Powell thinks the world of Colonel Frank and quite rightly so as the son of Toulon has not put a foot wrong in his two latest outings, here and at Wincanton. He was beaten on his return to action at Worcester in October, but the horse that beat him, Oneway, has since followed up at Wetherby to give the form a solid look. Subsequent victories by Colonel Frank can only add to connections' confidence, and he is expected to stamp his claims as a leading contender for races such as next year's Hennessy. Lord Sam was a prolific winner over the smaller obstacles, his only defeat coming at the 2003 Cheltenham Festival at the hands of Hardy Eustace no less. His jumping left a bit to be desired to say the least on his return in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby but he is sure to have been well schooled since. Calling Brave may well have won the Royal & SunAlliance Chase had he not made an almighty blunder at the ditch and he is reported to be in good shape for his return to the fray, while Murphy's Cardinal is also an exciting prospect judged on his Grade 3 Success on his first run back at Down Royal. His tendency to jump to the right will not matter here, but even so, with plenty to recommend him, we prefer the claims of Colonel Frank who is a very safe conveyance.
