disputed 3rd in main group until driven and outpaced 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no chance with leaders
led and clear with one other, mistake and headed 4 out, outpaced when switched right next, lost place before 2 out, soon beaten, lost 3rd after last
held up behind, ridden and outpaced 4 out, soon beaten
in rear, lost touch 6th, soon tailed off
behind, ridden and outpaced 5 out, never dangerous
disputed 3rd in main group, headway 3 out, soon tracked leader, led next, driven clear last, ridden out flat, comfortably
mid-division in main group, outpaced 4 out, soon lost place, weakened 2 out
tracked leader and clear, hit 6th, led 4 out, headed 2 out, ridden last, no chance with winner flat, held on for 2nd near finish
mid-division in main group, not fluent 8th, outpaced 3 out, kept on under pressure to go 3rd after last, just held for 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
MASTER MINDED, winner of this race in 2008, was under a bit of a cloud when finishing behind Kalahari King in the Champion Chase over this C&D in March. The seven-year-old looked right back to his best when sauntering to victory on his reappearance at Ascot, however, and should take all the beating here. Kalahari King is smart on his day and can go well fresh so shouldn't be underestimated, but Twist Magic's prospects of a hat-trick in the race have diminished by the switch to Cheltenham. The gelding has failed to finish in three out of four previous runs over C&D and finished tailed off on the other. Gauvain's win here last month was eye-catching and, along with last season's Arkle Chase runner-up Somersby, he could go close if the favourite doesn't run up to form.
Gauvain (GER) 16-1 (11-0) Patiently ridden, held up in 5th, steady headway to 4th after 4 out, tracked leading pair going well after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, challenged last, led flat, kept on well, comfortably, won at Cheltenham 2m chs (2) gs in Nov beating Forpadydeplasterer (11-0) by 4l, 7 ran.
I'm So Lucky 9-1 (11-2) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4 out, led 3 out, in command soon after next, kept on strongly, won at Sandown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr beating Oiseau de Nuit (11-2) by 6l, 8 ran.
Kalahari King (FR) 5-2 (11-10) Tracked leading pair, hit 5th, outpaced 2 out, soon lost place, left 5 lengths down in 3rd last, ridden and kept on same pace flat, no impression, 3rd of 5, 12l behind Noble Alan (10-4) at Kelso 2m 1f Ltd hcp chs (2) gd in Nov.
Kinkeel (IRE) 250-1 (11-1) Always in rear, lost touch 8th, left distant 5th 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Master Minded (11-11) at Ascot 2m 3f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Chased leading pair, went 2nd and blundered 8th, lost 2nd before 3 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 7, 28l behind Gauvain (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m chs (2) gs in Nov.
Master Minded (FR) 5-6fav (11-11) Took keen hold, settled tracking leading pair, went 2nd and upsides from 11th, going strongly when not entirely fluent and left well clear 3 out, won at Ascot 2m 3f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov beating I'msingingtheblues (11-1) by 16l, 6 ran.
Oiseau de Nuit (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, reminders after 6th, stayed on to modest 4th and hit 2 out, 4th of 7, 16l behind Gauvain (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m chs (2) gs in Nov.
Petit Robin (FR) Evensfav (11-0) Led, slow 3rd, ridden and headed 2 out, soon no chance with winner, weakened into 3rd flat, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Ashkazar (11-8) at Sandown 2m Lstd hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Somersby (IRE) 9-4fav (10-7) Mid-division, headway 4th, close 2nd when mistake 4 out, not fluent next, ridden after 2 out, stayed on same pace and held flat, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Tchico Polos (10-4) at Exeter 2m 1f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Twist Magic (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, blundered 4 out, rallied to chase winner last, stayed on well, just held, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Tchico Polos (10-4) at Exeter 2m 1f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
