tracked leaders, lost place 6th, mistake 12th, weakened 15th
made all, jumped left 8, mistake 11th, jumped left 12th, clear 4 out unchallenged
in touch, mistake and pecked 2nd, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, reminders 5th when behind
tracked winner, mistake and pecked 2nd, close up when blundered 14th, weakened next
held up in touch, mistake 9th and 13th, ridden to chase winner 14th, hit 15th and no impression from 3 out
Lord Of Illusion met a potentially decent sort in Gazump at Cheltenham last time and was not disgraced in defeat, and we take him to make amends at the hands of Xellance and Ile De Paris. The selection if officially rated 3lb inferior to Xellance, but on balance his chasing form looks better. He can be ridden prominently, which suits here, stays well and handles this ground, so he fits the bill for us. Xellance also has some decent novices' chase form to his name, and he is rated over a stone higher over hurdles, so there is plenty of reason to believe that he can take this. However, he does not quite convince as much over the bigger obstacles and although we expect him to be fighting out he finish he may just have to give best. Philip Hobbs' other runner here, Ile De Paris, makes his chasing debut and is probably best watched as he has a fair bit to find with his stablemate on hurdles form. A trappy contest then and we take Lord Of Illusion to just get home.
