led, ridden and headed well before 2 out, no chance with front pair from 2 out
chased leader to 3 out, weakened quickly soon after
chased leaders in 4th, went 2nd 3 out, led well before 2 out, headed 2 out, chased winner after, no chance from last
chased leaders until ridden after 3 out and soon weakened
in touch until mistake and dropped to last 4 out, soon lost touch and eased
took keen hold, held up in rear, smooth headway on bit to track leaders approaching 2 out, led 2 out, in command before last and ridden clear flat
held up in 6th, tracked leading pair after 3 out, weakened into 4th when blundered 2 out, no chance after
Backers of HELIUM will be on a high after two wins over hurdles and in a poor renewal of the Adonis he is nominated ahead of Hebridean. In a race that has been won by Binocular, Punjabi and Kasbah Bliss in the last-three years, the contest has been a major trial for Cheltenham. However this year a few have swerved it and as such it looks very winnable. Paul Nicholls is likely to fancy his chances with the classy Hebridean but he is yet to reproduce his flat form over hurdles and whilst Ainama may boost the form earlier in the day the feeling is that he still needs to improve. We prefer Helium then who has been off the track since early December. His wins need improving on but he has done nothing wrong since crossing the Channel and he has a straight-forward style of racing. Saticon has been a little disappointing since winning here on his debut; he is on target for a crack at the Fred Winter and he will need to jump better under pressure than he did last time behind the classy Zaynar. Stablemate Cosmea gets plenty of weight and the young filly has been impressive on two hurdling wins. She has a similar profile to Katchit on the flat and she could run well here before a possible crack at one of the Novice races at the festival. Excape didn't go a yard last time at Plumpton in a bog and better is expected today, although his rushed preparation is hardly ideal. A tricky race to appraise but Helium has the best form on offer and can continue on his road to Prestbury Park with a win.
Helium (FR) 4-6fav (11-8) Made all, came clear soon after 2 out, pushed out flat, easily, won at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec beating Tuanku (11-4) by 11l, 5 ran.
Ray Diamond 33-1 (10-13) Led until briefly headed 4 out, strongly pressed last, tired towards finish, held on all out, won at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) hvy beating First Avenue (10-12) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Saticon 14-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 9, 18l behind Zaynar (11-4) at Ascot 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Art Exhibition (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Narrow lead, headed 4th, chased winner, ridden and hit 2 out, soon no impression and lost 2nd, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Torphichen (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft.
Excape (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracking leaders, wandered at several flights, mistake 3rd, ridden and weakened 3 out, 7th of 9, 44l behind Ray Diamond (10-13) at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) hvy.
Hebridean (IRE) 5-4 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, left 2nd next, soon ridden, kept on but always being held by winner, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Ainama (11-4) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Cosmea 2-7fav (11-3) Mid-division, chased leaders halfway, ridden and effort 3 out, soon outpaced, ran on to lead approaching last, soon clear, won at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Kahsabelle (10-7) by 5l, 15 ran.
