with leader, led approaching 6th, ridden and headed before 3 out, left 2nd before 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leading pair, ridden and left in lead after 3 out, kept on, ridden out
held up in rear and in touch, went 2nd from 7th, led and going well after 4 out, blundered badly 3 out, not recover, one pace after
led, headed before 6th, tracked leader until 7th, soon in rear, mistake 9th, tailed off
in touch in 4th, blundered 2nd and rider lost iron, in rear when fell 3rd
It's hard to believe that RIVALISTE started favourite for the Jewson Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last year and began the current campaign pleasingly by filling the minor placing in a competitive Cheltenham handicap won by Dave's Dream. His fencing has become a real problem but he is just given one more chance here on such favourable terms. Moon Over Miami has become rather inconsistent with age but is still a capable sort at best and it would be no surprise to see him go well. King Edmund shoulders topweight but arrives here on the back of a light campaign and certainly merits a place on the short-list.
King Edmund 7-1 (11-12) In touch on outer, outpaced 5 out, kept on from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 11, 19l behind Elite Land (10-9) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Mar.
Russian Flag (FR) 33-1 (10-8) Mid-division, mistake 11th, soon behind, blundered 4 out, taile doff when pulled up before last, in a race won by Fine Parchment (10-4) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar, 15 ran.
Rivaliste (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, not fluent and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Gifted Leader (10-10) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd, 9 ran.
Marodima (FR) 11-2 (11-5) Led, clear before 3rd, reduced lead before 4 out, headed well before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 12l behind Owner Occupier (9-11) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Bathwick Quest (IRE) 11-4fav (11-10) With leader, led 4th, jumped right 6th, blundered badly 8th and nearly unseated rider (great recovery) and headed, led again before next, ridden and headed after 2 out, 3rd and beaten last, weakened flat, 3rd of 6, 19l behind Marley Roca (11-6) at Stratford 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Moon Over Miami (GER) 12-1 (11-8) Held up mid-division, blundered 5th, weakened from 5 out, 9th of 11, 28l behind Elite Land (10-9) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Mar.
