tracked leaders, disputing close 2nd when fell 11th
held up towards rear, blundered badly and unseated rider 8th
towards rear, mistake 7th and next, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
chased leaders, left 2nd 11th, soon pushed along, ridden when blundered 5 out, faded after 3 out
held up towards rear, fell 2nd
towards rear, blundered 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
led until fell 11th
tracked leader, left in lead 11th, clear 13th, easily
held up in mid-division, headway halfway, hampered and left disputing 3rd at 11th, pushed along 13th, ridden when blundered 5 out, stayed on to chase winner approaching last, no
held up in touch, hampered and left disputing close 3rd 11th, effort when blundered 14th, weakened 4 out, pulled up briefly after 2 out, continued
Rule Supreme and Royal Emperor, first and second in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham will both be popular with backers in this staying event for novices but preference is for D'Argent, who missed the Festival meeting and may come here fresher as a result. Admittedly Alan King's gelding disappointed when last seen at Wincanton but his form prior to that had been progressive and, with his main rivals having had a hard race at Cheltenham, the seven-year-old might be worth chancing. Only a length-and-a-quarter separated Rule Supreme and Royal Emperor in the Royal & SunAlliance and there should not be a great deal between the pair again today. Simply Supreme, a stablemate of Royal Emperor, looks the Sue Smith second string and of more interest may be the Philip Hobbs-trained Double Honour, who is slowly making into a useful chaser now. Henrietta Knight's One Nation probably needs to improve to take a hand here along with See You Sometime and we prefer to side with D'Argent, who gets the vote.
