led and soon 15 lengths clear, gradually came back to field from 12th, pressed between last 2, pecked last and soon headed, no extra flat
several slow jumps early, held up last, closed from 12th, ridden to chase leading pair approaching 3 out, one pace and no impression between last 2
chased clear leader to 7th, stayed in touch, reminder 10th, weakened 4 out
held up in 3rd place off fast pace, went 2nd 7th, suddenly closed on leader from 12th, led last, idled and driven out flat
held up in 4th, mistake 7th, closed from 12th, pecked 4 out, one pace and beaten 2 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
With the trainers' championship up for grabs it is no surprise to see Paul Nicholls mob-handed here and a reproduction of last time out form should see Le Roi Miguel collect for him, with Therealbandit and Quazar rated his biggest dangers. The selection had little chance behind the brilliant Moscow Flyer at Aintree last week and, while this may ideally come too soon for the seven-year-old, he is hard to oppose on that evidence. Martin Pipe's Therealbandit is strictly held by the selection on running that day and is hard to recommend so a bigger threat may come from elsewhere in the field. Mouseski and Le Duc also represent Paul Nicholls, although both would probably prefer a softer surface to show their best form, while Noisetine and Marked Man face no easy task from out of the handicapper. Of more interest then may be Jonjo O'Neill's Quazar, who never knows when he has been beaten and is entitled to improve for his recent return in the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase. Le Roi Miguel sets a decent standard though and he is taken to confirm the form of his Aintree run.
Le Roi Miguel (FR) 9-2 Held up, chased winner and hit 4 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out, 2nd of 6, 16l behind Moscow Flyer at Aintree 2m 4f chs Grd 1 (A) gd.
Therealbandit (IRE) 9-1 Chased leader, led 4th to 12th, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 6, 44l behind Moscow Flyer at Aintree 2m 4f chs Grd 1 (A) gd.
Mouseski 33-1 In touch to 9th, soon behind, 15th of 22, well behind Liberthine at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Quazar (IRE) 14-1 In rear, ridden after 7th, staying on steadily when hampered 4 out, not recover, 7th of 19, 28l behind King Harald at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (A) gd in Mar.
Marked Man (IRE) 33-1 Held up, blundered 10th, well behind and no chance when fell at the last in race won by Liberthine at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar, 22 ran.
Le Duc (FR) 20-1 Mid-division, steady headway from 4 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 30, 6l behind Cregg House at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (B) gs.
Noisetine (FR) 15-2 Made all, soon clear until reminder 8th, clear again approaching 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (C) sft beating Kalca Mome by 7l, 8 ran.
