held up in rear, headway after 3 out, chased winner before next, stayed on to challenge last, no impression flat
tracked leaders, mistake and weakened 3 out, pulled up before last
made most, until approaching 2 out, soon weakened
mostly pressed leader, led before 2 out, driven and kept on well flat
A high-class renewal, despite the lack of runners, with the winners of 33 races taking part - none of whom can be safely left out of calculations, but Le Roi Miguel improved no end in the Spring and gets the vote. An early casualty in the Arkle, he made amends in impressive fashion when landing the Martell Maghull Novices Chase at Aintree defeating stablemate Vol Solitaire with Arkle runner-up Impek back in third. He was then sent over to Punchestown where he again accounted for Impek. On a line through Vol Solitaire he clearly has the beating of Tarxien, who in turn is closely matched with Farmer Jack. The latter, now with Philip Hobbs, was most consistent last season and never finished out of the first four in his eight chases. He has gone well fresh in the past and he looks sure to give a good account. Ibal, a useful hurdler has proved at least as good over fences, but he does need plenty of give underfoot, something he is unlikely to get here. Iris Royal is a useful sort and while there are some nice prizes to be won with him, he probably just lacks the class to win at this level. So, in the hope that Le Roi Miguel is still on the upgrade, he is taken to win an intriguing contest and stake a claim to make up into one of the best two-mile chasers around.
