led 2nd, hung right right from 4th, headed 3 out, remained challenging, every chance when hung left approaching last, one pace flat
soon in rear, lost touch 8th, tailed off
held up, not fluent 7th, closed approaching 3 out, slightly outpaced after 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd after last, kept on flat, not trouble winner
led to 2nd, chased leaders, led 3 out to 2 out, beaten last, one pace
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd, hit 5th, challenged 3 out, led and pecked slightly 2 out, asserted after last, ran on
held up in last, hit 5th, lost touch before 4 out, tailed off
It looks worth siding with WELL CHIEF as he'll never get a better chance to lower the colours of Master Minded whilst Mahogany Blaze may be able to win the battle for third. Paul Nicholls' chaser didn't have to run up to the brilliant levels of his previous season last term but he was still good enough to win all four starts and is unbeaten at this track. However, Master Minded is sure to benefit from this run and could just struggle to concede 10lbs to Well Chief who proved that he had retained his ability after injury when chasing Master Minded home in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at a distance of a respectful 7 lengths. One would expect Master Minded to come out on top again but the weight concession plus the fact that he'll be short of peak fitness means that the value call has to be Well Chief. Mahogany Blaze has plenty to find with Newmill on their running in March but the former Champion is rising twelve years of age and could struggle to confirm the form with Nigel Twiston-Davies' youngster who made a satisfactory return in the Haldon Gold Cup. There are effectively two races within one here such is the disparity in the ratings of the six runners but it's got to be worth taking a chance with Well Chief in the race that matters.
Master Minded (FR) 3-10fav (11-12) Made all, asserted entering straight, ridden and strongly pressed last, kept on under pressure run-in, all out close home, just held on, won at Punchestown 2m chs G1 sft in Apr beating Big Zeb (11-12) by hd, 6 ran.
Kinkeel (IRE) 5-1 (9-12) Led to 4th, led 5th to 4 out, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Nawow (11-4) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 11-2 (10-8) Reminder before 1st, chased leaders, went 2nd 6th, led approaching 4 out, headed approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 9, 8l behind Planet Of Sound (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs Grade 2 (1) gs.
Newmill (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Attempted to make all, clear early, slight mistake 3 out, soon strongly pressed, headed and kept on without matching winner close home, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Keys Pride (10-3) at Cork 2m Ext hcp ch gd in Oct.
Well Chief (GER) 12-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, keen early, headway into mid-division 6th, tracking leaders 4 out, not fluent 3 out and lost ground on leading trio, kept on approaching last, edged left flat, ran on to take 2nd, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Master Minded (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar.
William Butler (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway after 5th, mistake and weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 19l behind Treaty Flyer (11-1) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
