reluctant to line up and led in start, got flyer and soon led, headed 2nd, chased leader, led 8th, until not fluent and headed 3 out, no chance with winner when weakened to 3rd before last
well behind when pulled up after 2nd
led 2nd, headed 8th, outpaced in 3rd from 4 out, weakened from after 3 out
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4 out, led 3 out, in command soon after next, kept on strongly
chased leaders, dropped to rear when blundered 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, disputing 5th when fell 9th
held up in 5th, left 4th 9th, one pace and no impression from 3 out
held up, hampered 9th, pushed along before 4 out, stayed on from 3 out, went 2nd before last, no chance with winner
TWIST MAGIC decided to stick in Ireland but he should take all the beating back at his favourite venue with Fix The Rib, Mahogany Blaze and Oh Crick the dangers. The selection is in a different class to that trio when at his best and is hard to oppose here despite having pulled up at Cheltenham and refused to race at Punchestown where he was amongst the favourites for a better race than this. His refusal to race does race an obvious concern and the travelling may have taken something out of him but his record here is exemplary and he's gone well for Sam Thomas. Fix The Rib has struggled to bridge the gap in class since moving up from the handicap ranks but he didn't run badly in the Game Spirit and is entitled to reverse that form with Mahogany Blaze at these weights and similar comments can be applied to Oh Crick who has been tending to get behind before running on strongly. Chaninbar should ensure that this is run at a decent gallop which may help the likes of I'm So Lucky creep into contention through the race but this looks to be the perfect opportunity for Twist Magic to sign off his season in style.
Twist Magic (FR) 10-3 (11-12) Refused to race, in a race won by Golden Silver (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs G1 gd, 11 ran.
Chaninbar (FR) 7-2fav (11-2) Led 2nd until 3rd, led 6th, clear 8th until 11th, headed after 3 out, no extra final 150 yards, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Stormin Exit (10-0) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd.
Fix The Rib (IRE) 1-3fav (11-2) Tracked leading pair, led 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, soon hung right and one pace, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Agente Romano (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Mar.
I'm So Lucky 9-1 (9-11) Held up, not fluent 4th, headway 10th, mistake, slightly hampered and left 2nd 3 out, led after next, headed flat, stayed on, 2nd of 7, nk behind Duc De Regniere (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G2 (1) gd.
Lord Jay Jay (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Prominent until 7th, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 46l behind Chaninbar (10-8) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 33-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 11, 17l behind Albertas Run (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f chs G1 (1) gd.
Oh Crick (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 22l behind Albertas Run (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f chs G1 (1) gd.
Oiseau de Nuit (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, hampered 4th, headway when not fluent 3 out, went 3rd approaching last, no impression, 3rd of 16, 20l behind Chaninbar (10-8) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs.
