in touch, smooth headway to track leaders after 4 out, led after next, clear after 2 out, easily
chased leaders, weakened after 4 out
with leader, led approaching 6th, hit 12th, headed after 3 out, soon beaten
led, headed approaching 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up in rear, mistake 4th, struggling from 10th, took moderate 3rd after last
In this valuable Grade 2 event, Kauto Star is nominated ahead of Nyrche and Mister McGoldrick. Anywhere near the level of form that saw Paul Nicholls' Kauto Star win last season's Tingle Creek Chase would make him the one to beat today and it is good to see him back in action so soon into the season following his Champion Chase tumble and his knee problems. He remains an exciting prospect. Mister McGoldrick is certainly no mug when it comes to chasing and, given that he oftens starts the season well, is respected, while Nyrche, whose stable is in good form, rounded off last season with a good second in a Grade 2 Chase at Sandown. He can go well. Paul Nicholls also runs the game, classy and dependable Armaturk can also go well, even though he is five pounds above his best recent winning mark. It all adds up to a very good race, with the selection being Kauto Star.
Kauto Star (FR) 2-1fav (11-10) In touch when fell at the 3rd in race won by Newmill (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Mister McGoldrick 10-1 (10-12) Led, not fluent 2nd and 3rd, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 9, 15l behind Noble Request (10-9) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Armaturk (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 9th, headed 5 out, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 9, 28l behind Supreme Prince (10-6) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs in Apr.
Nyrche (FR) 11-8fav (11-6) Led at decent pace, ridden approaching 2 out, narrowly headed last, kept on, 2nd of 4, 2l behind River City (11-6) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gf in Apr.
Inca Trail (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, some headway after 10th, ridden when mistake 4 out, weakened soon after, 6th of 14, 26l behind Tribal Venture (10-5) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd.