chased winner, lost place approaching 3rd, soon behind, pulled up after 5th
tracked winner, lost place approaching 5th, slow next, gradually weakened
held up in touch, went 2nd 5th, under pressure 8th, kept on same pace and never dangerous after
held up in rear, slow 4, soon under pressure, went moderate 4th 4 out, never dangerous
made all, soon 6 lengths clear, jumed left 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on well
held up in rear, headway to be in touch after 3rd, tracked leaders 6th, chased winner 8th, 2 lengths down after 3 out, beaten when blundered badly 2nd last
Twist Magic is difficult to oppose here with Mansony and Schindlers Hunt capable of fighting out second place. Twist Magic burst into the Arkle picture last year with victory at Fakenham and was going as well as anything at Cheltenham when coming to grief at the second last. He's maintained his progression this season and marked himself down as the one to beat in this division with victory in the Tingle Creek. The ground today is unlikely to be a great deal more testing than at Sandown and he should prove hard to beat. Ashley Brook was way below par in the Tingle Creek and should be in the frame if back to his best whilst Hoo La Baloo is another with place claims. This trip definitely looks on the short side for Tamarinbleu these days but Mansony and Schindlers Hunt have pretensions of laying down a serious challenge. Schindlers Hunt may have been a shade below par when behind Mansony at Leopardstown at Christmas but the latter is certainly appears to be an improved performer this year and can be rated the chief danger to the selection, Twist Magic.
Ashley Brook (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Led until headed 8th, chased leader to 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 8, 27l behind Twist Magic (11-7) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Hoo La Baloo (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Mostly chased leaders to 6th, led next to 3 out, no chance with winner from next, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Voy Por Ustedes (11-10) at Kempton 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Mansony (FR) 2-1jt-fav (11-12) Close 2nd, disputed lead briefly 4 out, led travelling well 2 out, clear when jumped right last, ridden and stayed on, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Dec beating Nickname (11-12) by 1l, 6 ran.
Schindlers Hunt (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, 2nd after 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, kept on under pressure from last, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Mansony (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Dec.
Tamarinbleu (FR) 22-1 (11-8) Made all, asserted approaching 4 out, ridden between last 2, stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Dec beating Le Volfoni (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Twist Magic (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Close up and always travelling well, headway 10th, led 3 out, ridden last, drew clear flat, won at Sandown 2m chs Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec beating Voy Por Ustedes (11-7) by 3l, 8 ran.
Pauntley Gofa 9-1 (11-0) Always behind, 8th of 13, well behind Gentle John (11-5) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
