made all and jumped right throughout, clear from 3 out
chased leaders, hit 9th and 12th, weakened from 2 out
chased winner, beat from 2 out
held up in rear, ridden 4 out, no impression
held up, struggling from 11th
There is over 12,500 pounds to the winner of this race but only five line up for it, the best of them looking to be Blue Splash; his biggest dangers look to be Himalayan Trail and More Likely. Blue Splash has been making a splash over fences and his third to the subsequent Red Square Vodka Gold Cup winner Heltornic last time in a Grade 2 event has to be viewed as very good form. His chance is respected. Himalayan Trail looked good when winning on his chasing debut last time and he rates as interesting, and, much as she may have been a bit fortunate to win at Kelso last time, More Likely has looked progressive in winning her last two races and she has to be given every chance today. King Of Confusion would certainly hold claims if managing to transfer his best hurdling efforts to the larger obstacles but Political Cruise would be hard to build a strong case for. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Blue Splash.
Blue Splash (FR) 5-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, effort 4 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, 4th of 7, 8l behind Heltornic (11-1) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs.
Himalayan Trail 11-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 5 out, blundered last, soon headed, rallied to lead again flat, driven out, won at Catterick 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Jan beating Nine De Sivola (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
More Likely 9-1 (11-2) Made all, went clear flat, won at Kelso 2m 6f nov chs (2) sft in Jan beating Original Fly (10-6) by 6l, 5 ran.
King of Confusion (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Mid-division, blundered and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Lankawi (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) hvy, 12 ran.
Political Cruise 9-2fav (9-12) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 9th of 14, 46l behind Wensley Blue (10-2) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft.
