chased leaders in 3rd, not fluent 6th, ridden 3 out, outpaced from next
held up in touch, went 3rd to chase leaders approaching 5th, led after 2 out, clear from last
led, blundered 4 out, soon headed, one pace from 2 out
held up in rear, jumped right 1st, jumped slow 3rd, pushed along after 5th, soon outpaced
held up in 5th, mistake 8th, hit 4 out, soon stumbled on bend, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, fell next
close up, joined leader 7th, led after 4 out, ridden next, headed after 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
KALAHARI KING is nominated here ahead of Tatenen and Made In Taipan. Ferdy Murphy's gelding was only beaten by a short-head in the Arkle where he was perhaps over-confidently ridden by Graham Lee. He will be sure not to make that mistake and his charge has enough speed to cope with this quicker track. He jumps and travels well and looks a more solid option than Tatenen. He was well-fancied for the Arkle but he fell at the third. The ground looks sure to be on the quick side for Paul Nicholls' gelding and it remains to be seen how his confidence will be after that tumble. Backers however should take heart from the fact that Paul Nicholls has won this race twice before with Arkle fallers. Song Of Songs is progressive but this is a step up in class and it will be interesting to see what he finds off the bridle, Cornas was well-held in the Arkle and might just be below this level, whilst Doctor David beat the selection easily at Haydock but that was on much softer ground. Made In Taipan was a gallant fourth in the Arkle, but he might prefer softer ground in contrast to Premier Dane who is up against it on the ratings but he will like conditions and his trainer getshis horses primed for this meeting. A good contest and a good chance for Kalahari King to reign.
Cornas (NZ) 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division, hampered 3rd, headway on outer approaching 3 out, close 3rd and going well when stumbled 2 out, ridden before last, weakened flat, 7th of 17, 11l behind Forpadydeplasterer (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Kalahari King (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, mistake 9th, travelling well after 3 out, headway and switched right after 2 out, chased winner soon after last, ran on well, not quite get there, 2nd of 17, shd behind Forpadydeplasterer (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Made In Taipan (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Led to 7th, led 8th, hit 9th, headed 3 out, still every chance approaching last, faded flat, 4th of 17, 9l behind Forpadydeplasterer (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Premier Dane (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Held up mid-division, lost place 7th, weakened after next, tailed off when jumped left last, 7th of 9, well behind Serabad (11-9) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Nov.
Song of Songs 10-11fav (11-4) Held up, tracked leaders 9th, switched right approaching last, pushed along and quickened to lead flat, won at Sandown 2m nov chs (3) gd in Mar beating Deep Purple (11-8) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Tatenen (FR) 4-1fav (11-7) Chased leader 1st, fell 3rd, in a race won by Forpadydeplasterer (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar, 17 ran.
Doctor David 5-2 (11-2) Tracked leading pair, hit 3 out, weakened into 4th and blundered last, last of 5, 12l behind Gauvain (10-12) at Sandown 2m nov chs G2 (1) gs in Feb.
