Verdict

Unfortunately, Monet's Garden has scared most of the opposition away, with just three of the 23 overnight declarations lining up in what now looks a one-horse race. Monet's Garden is an exciting recruit to the chasing ranks, and gave indication of things to come when accounting for the useful Darkness over two miles on heavy going at Ayr in November. Nicky Richards' star was found to have pulled a muscle in his back soon after, but is reported to be fully recovered now. Connections had him entered at Ayr on Monday just gone, but have decided to wait for today with the ground not as testing. There has been lots of talk about the Arkle being the main target, but Richards has hinted that he might not even go to Cheltenham yet, stating that Aintree is an equally tempting alternative. The main thing is that he comes back sound today after hopefully having not too hard a race, and with just two opponents that should be the case. Of that pair, Alderburn is the obvious one to chase him home. There will be far bigger tests for Monet's Garden, and success today at prohibitive odds will not tell us much in a race lacking any betting interest.

Formwatch

Monet's Garden (IRE) 2-5fav (11-3) Jumped well, chased leaders, led 5th, clear 4 out, eased towards finish, won at Ayr 2m nov chs (C) sft in Nov beating Darkness (11-9) by 9l, 4 ran.

Alderburn 9-2 (11-6) fell in race won by Mort De Rire (10-7) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (3) gd, 11 ran.

Redhouse Chevalier 66-1 (11-1) Led to 5th, hit 10th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Basilea Star (11-6) at Warwick 3m 2f beg chs (E) sft in Dec, 9 ran.