with leader, mistake 4th, led 7th, hit 3 out, strongly challenged approaching last, headed and no extra towards finish
led at strong gallop, not fluent early, jumped left 5th, headed 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, beaten when jumped badly left 2 out
held up well in rear, mistake 4th, not fluent next, hung left and jumped badly left from 9th, soon beaten
held up well in rear, headway before 3 out, soon 15 lengths adrift in 4th, steady headway approaching next, every chance last, no extra flat
held up in rear, not jumped well throughout, never a factor
tracked clear leaders, mistake 6th, 12 lengths down in 2nd approaching 3 out, every chance last, stayed on under pressure to lead close home
This is essentially a match between Mahogany Blaze and Marodima with Wee Robbie and Orpen Wide capable of fighting out the finish for third. Mahogany Blaze is selected. Marodima appeared to have a problem getting home but that's no longer the case and he ran out an impressive winner from Mahogany Blaze in the Henry VIII at Sandown last time. This bold running, trailblazer won't be easy to pass today but he's 3lbs worse off and there are reasons enough to side with the Twiston-Davies challenger. Marodima has the edge on experience over Mahogany Blaze and a mistake 5 from home by the latter effectively put paid to his chances that day but the way that he got back into the race and jumped afterwards was encouraging. Mahogany Blaze has gone on to win impressively at Kempton's Christmas meeting where he impressed with his jumping. That part of his game will be put under more pressure today but it was hard not to be impressed with him and Mahogany Blaze is taken to level the score.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 11-8fav (11-9) Always prominent, good jump to lead 4 out, well in command when hit 2 out, came readily clear, easily, won at Kempton 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec beating Pur De Sivola (11-2) by 16l, 4 ran.
Marodima (FR) 9-4jt-fav (11-2) Made all, driven and stayed on gamely from 2 out, won at Sandown 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Dec beating Mahogany Blaze (11-8) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Monzon (FR) 80-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, pecked 10th, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Moon Over Miami (11-10) at Newbury 2m 2f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, every chance 2 out, mistake last, no extra, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Fleet Street (11-0) at Leicester 2m beg chs (4) gs.
Premiership (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Always detached, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Joe Lively (11-7) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Wee Robbie 13-2 (10-4) In touch until driven and steadily weakened from 17th, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Hot Weld (10-0) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gf in Apr.
