OLYMPIAN was made to pull out all of the stops to get the better of Oldrick at Wincanton last time and at first glance a 6lb rise for that success looks harsh but the front two were clear of the third and the form is solid with the runner up having beaten Pascha Bere subsequently and the main threat looks to be Take The Breeze. The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding was well held in the Ladbroke at Ascot last month but had won well here previously and he has to be considered on that evidence. Hernando Royal is a consistent performer but may be a shade high in the weights, while Matuhi looks plenty high enough for what he has achieved. Tender Falcon has more to do than when winning at Hereford last time and of more interest may be Night Cru, who has every chance of reversing that form. Prince Taime is less exposed than most of these and has to be considered but Olympian's form is solid and he looks the one to beat.
Howle Hill (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Towards rear, hit 2nd, blundered 3rd, soon driven, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Jack The Giant (11-1) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Nov, 8 ran.
Chivalry 20-1 (9-13) Towards rear, ridden and lost touch 3rd, tailed off and pulled up 5 out in race won by Border Castle (9-13) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr, 16 ran.
Wingman (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) In touch, ridden approaching 2 out, no response, 5th of 12, 8l behind Sunnyhillboy (10-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec.
Take The Breeze (FR) 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway after 5th, effort after 3 out, beaten next, 8th of 21, 14l behind Sentry Duty (11-9) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec.
Prince Taime (FR) 8-1 (10-6) Held up behind, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders, 9th of 21, 16l behind Sentry Duty (11-9) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec.
Matuhi 6-1 (11-9) Prominent, raced keenly, ridden after 3 out, struck on head by rival's whip between last 2, stayed on same pace, 4th of 13, 5l behind Princess Flame (10-10) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Pascha Bere (FR) 4-1jt-fav (11-2) Chased leaders, 6th and weakening when hit last, 8th of 15, 6l behind Ingratitude (11-9) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Dec.
Dishdasha (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Towards rear, hit 4th, headway 2 out, ridden and one pace approaching last, 6th of 17, 9l behind Culcabock (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Sharp Rigging (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division, jumped left 4th, mistake and fell at the 6th in race won by Master Medic (11-5) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Freeloader (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 15l behind Ingratitude (11-9) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Dec.
Light Yield (USA) 9-1 (11-3) Took keen hold, in touch, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out, tailed off, 16th of 19, well behind Royaleety (10-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec.
Dusky Lord 5-1 (11-5) Mistake 2nd, held up towards rear, driven and struggling well before 2 out, 8th of 17, 24l behind Oslot (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Apr '07.
Tender Falcon 14-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, pushed along after 4th, headway on inside approaching 2 out, led and went right last, stayed on well flat, won at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec beating Night Cru (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Hernando Royal 6-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, hit 5th, went 2nd after 3 out, driven to take narrow lead 2 out, headed flat, no extra, 4th of 12, 2l behind Sunnyhillboy (10-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec.
Olympian (FR) 7-2jt-fav (11-0) Held up, headway after 3 out, ridden and challenged after 2 out, hard ridden and ran on well to lead post, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec beating Oldrik (10-11) by a ns, 13 ran.
Night Cru 9-4fav (11-5) In touch, challenged after 3 out, led after 2 out, ridden and headed last, one pace flat, 2nd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Tender Falcon (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Nothing Is Forever (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Prominent, led approaching 3 out, ridden when fell 2 out in race won by Dancewiththedevil (10-3) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
