held up in 4th, not fluent, hit 7th and 9th, closed 10th, mistake 4 out, went 3rd before 3 out, stayed on under pressure to chase winner after last, not able to challenge
led, hit 8th, headed 11th, stayed upsides, led approaching 4 out, ridden after 2 out, edged right flat, stayed on, driven out
tracked leaders, closed 5 out, chased winner after 4 out, every chance approaching 2 out, soon unable to quicken, 3rd and stayed on same pace flat
with winner, led 11th, headed when stumbled 4 out, weakened next
held up in 5th, fell 8th
BALTHAZAR KING is comfortably the pick on form having won three times over fences and running well in much better company over this C&D, particularly when runner-up to Wayward Prince in November. Adams Island's second to Captain Chris at Kempton has been made to look better by the spectacular victory of the winner in the Arkle but there were only three runners and he was undoubtedly flattered. Earth Dream will love the ground and was going well over fences last summer but, like Magical Legend, he has plenty to find against promising rivals.
Adams Island (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) In touch when blundered and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Bensalem (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar, 19 ran.
Balthazar King (IRE) 1-2fav (11-12) Made all, dived at 5th, in command and clear from 2 out, pushed along from last, unchallenged, won at Hereford 3m 1f nov chs (4) gs in Mar beating Acrai Rua (11-5) by 4l, 3 ran.
Earth Dream (IRE) 10-3fav (11-6) Held up in touch, driven along in well held 7th 4 out, stayed on approaching last, kept on flat, never in contention, 5th of 11, 14l behind For Non Stop (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Oct.
Hunt Ball (IRE) 22-1 (12-0) 4th of 7, 29l behind Drom (12-0) at Buckfastleigh 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Magical Legend 11-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway from 12th to track leaders 5 out, chased winner after 3 out, switched right after next, stayed on flat, no impression, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Easter Legend (11-7) at Newbury 2m 6f mrs lst nov hcp chs (5yo+) (1) gd in Mar.