made all, quickened 11th, shaken up 3 out, ran on well from 2 out, pushed out flat
held up last, ridden 13th, hard ridden and stayed on same pace 3 out
chased winner, ridden 3 out, ran on well flat but not pace of winner
prominent, pecked 5th, bumped 12th, ridden and lost touch 13th
held up in touch, pushed along 13th, went 3rd and mistake 4 out, lost 3rd 2 out
The wonderful Edredon Bleu gets the vote here over his four rivals, with Exit Swinger probably proving to be his nearest challenger. What more can be said about the Henrietta Knight-trained selection? His marvellous season - which has resulted in four straight wins, including a 15-length course and distance success from Exit Swinger (who is now 13lbs worse off at the weights!), victory and victory in Exeter's Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup and Clonmel's Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase - culminated in a brave win in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. There was hardly a dry eye in the place when he passed the post in front that day, to further secure a special place in the affections of the public. Just to remind you, he has now won 19 of his 39 races, with other successes including the Grand Annual Chase, Sandown's Grade 1 Championship Chase, four Peterborough Chases plus a Queen Mother Champion Chase, and been placed in a further 10 contests. The fact that he gained his most-important success last time out at the age of 12 is testimony to his character and courage and the training skills of Henrietta Knight. All things being equal, he holds outstanding claims in this race and will be a very short price to oblige. The fact that Exit Swinger looks to be his main rival reveals just how much, officially, he has in hand over the others and he cannot be opposed.
