tracked leader, mistake 1st, challenging when left in lead 5 out, mistake and headed next, no extra after 2 out
tracked leaders, mistake 5th, ridden and weakened 5 out
held up in touch, headway halfway, left 2nd 5 out, led next, clear 2 out, comfortably
held up in rear, outpaced halfway, rallied 3 out, stayed on to chase winner approaching last, no chance
Armaturk, Golden Alpha and Bleu Superbe look the three to concentrate on in this competitive handicap chase and the confident vote goes to Armaturk. The selection was a good second behind Tidour at Cheltenham last time and with conditions to suit and off the same mark here he will be hard to beat. Golden Alpha rates the main danger on his second behind Upgrade a couple of runs ago but he was well behind Armaturk last time and there is no reason why he should reverse placings here. Bleu Superbe was let down by his jumping at Cheltenham last time and will need to improve in that department if he is to score. Of the remainder Simply Gifted is drooped to his best trip so could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Armaturk.