in touch, chased leading pair from 3 out, challenged on outside and led 2 out, in command last, edged right and stayed on well, run-in
held up, under pressure after 3 out, kept on to take poor 3rd before 2 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, led soon after 3 out, headed 2 out, held before last, stayed on again towards finish
took keen hold, tracked leader, led well before 3rd, dived at 4th, not fluent after, headed soon after 3 out, weakened quickly, tailed off
never going well in rear, not look keen paddock bend after 2nd and driven after 2nd, well behind 3 out, tailed off
led to well before 3rd, stayed tracking leader, weakened quickly 5th, tailed off
held up in 4th, challenged 5th, every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened well before next
held up, hit 5th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Blazing Bailey gets the call here ahead of Twist Magic and Kasbah Bliss. Blazing Bailey has won each of his jumping starts to date, including on soft going and, looking essentially like a staying type, could have conditions to suit today so can go well before his Cheltenham option is firmed up. Twist Magic disappointed on very testing going last time but had looked good when winning at Wincanton the time before and is respected, and French raider Kasbah Bliss looks smart and, having already been placed in graded company, is one to very much consider today. Dual French jumping winner Osako d'Airy could be interesting on his British bow, and Political Intrigue won well on his hurdling debut and, holding the Triumph entry, is respected, although he is unproven on this going. Being by Green Desert out of a Machiavellian mare, the Nicky Henderson newcomer, Rustler, is hardly archetypally-bred for this going, while Grasp's second to Dear Villez last time was not a bad run, although more will probably be needed today. The same stable also runs Sole Agent. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Blazing Bailey.
Kasbah Bliss (FR) (10-1) Held up, headway and every chance 2 out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Rose Du Bourg (9-9) at Enghien 2m 1f Grp 3 (1) hvy in Nov.
Twist Magic (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden and no further impression, 5th of 15, 29l behind Blue Shark (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Dec.
Blazing Bailey 9-4 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, soon well clear, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd beating Flaming Weapon (11-5) by 12l, 12 ran.
Political Intrigue 6-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, ridden to lead 3 out, ran on well flat, won at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gf in Jan beating Ellerslie Tom (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Sole Agent (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Led until mistake and headed 3 out, weakened between last 2, 7th of 13, 45l behind Topkat (11-3) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft.
Love Angel (USA) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, weakened soon after, 7th of 15, 13l behind Quasimodo (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Osako D'airy (FR) (10-6) In touch, led 3 out, ran on strongly, won at Pau 2m 1f 4yo chs in Jan beating Barozzo (10-6) by 5l, 13 ran.
Rustler 4-1fav (8-11) Held up in touch, headway 2f out, ridden well over 1f out to join leader, led 1f out, ran on well final furlong, won at Bath 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct beating The Gaikwar (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran (Flat).
Grasp 25-1 (11-2) Held up, closed up to lead 5th, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Dear Villez (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
