led, headed 10th, hit 12th, mistake 13th, reminders, pecked 16th, weakened 4 out
tracked leader, led 10th, not fluent 17th, clear from next
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 5th, tailed off 14th, refused
This is a match between QUICKBEAM, Sound Accord and the fences. Sound Accord has the highest official rating and the assistance of Tony McCoy for the first time which should be to his benefit as he has needed to be kept up to his work this season. He appreciated the step up in trip when scoring from some equally reluctant rivals at Fontwell but has proved rather disappointing in two runs since and may not be in love with the game. Quickbeam's issues revolve around his fencing as he fell on consecutive starts and made costly errors on his next two outings. He may just be a slow learner though and everything came together at Taunton where he jumped impeccably bar a mistake at the last. He's an uncomplicated ride who won't fall victim to a tactical contest and Quickbeam appears to have blossomed in time for spring.
Quickbeam (IRE) 11-8fav (10-11) Made all, hit 10th, went clear 4 out, blundered last, eased near finish, won at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) gs in Feb beating Mark The Book (11-0) by 30l, 8 ran.
Sound Accord (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Led 2nd to 3rd, chased winner, ridden after 4 out, stayed on same pace from next, 2nd of 3, 10l behind Mount Sandel (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (2) gd in Feb.
Cold Mountain (IRE) 28-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden and weakened 4 out, blundered 3 out and pulled up in race won by Fair Point (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) hvy in Feb, 9 ran.
Monzon (FR) 16-1 (10-10) refused in race won by Russian Trigger (11-11) at Folkestone 3m 7f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
