tracked leader, blundered 4 out, led before and jumped left last, driven to go clear run-in
led, not fluent 2 out, headed before last, no extra
EDUARD comes out best on official ratings as he's 12lb clear of Imjoeking and only has to concede 7lb. Nicky Richards' charge, runner-up in a Grade 2 hurdle at Kelso a year ago, was having just his second start over fences when beating Mwaleshi at Carlisle in December and arrives here fresh after a break. A line of form through the runner-up gives him the beating of his lone rival, who was beaten a couple of lengths by him at Wetherby in November.
Eduard (IRE) 4-7fav (11-0) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4th, mistakes 6th and not fluent next, closed 3 out, upsides next, led between last 2, stayed on strongly flat, driven out, won at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) gs in Dec beating Mwaleshi (11-6) by 5l, 5 ran.
Imjoeking (IRE) 6-5fav (11-2) In touch in 5th, went 2nd before 4 out, weakened from 3 out, last of 6, 36l behind De Boitron (11-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Dec.
