jumped well, made all, clear from 2nd, unchallenged
traced (clear)winner from 2nd until before 3 out, soon dropped away, tailed off
chased winner until 2nd, raced in 3rd until went 2nd again before 3 out, outpaced soon after, never any chance with winner
NonRunner
A runner-up in the 2021 Champion Chase here, Nube Negra won this in good style last year though came up short again at the highest level subsequently. But EDWARDSTONE is a dual Grade 1 winner in novice company including the Arkle over track and trip back in March and Alan King’s charge may edge this on his reappearance. Sizing Pottsie landed a Grade 2 when trained in Ireland and has his second start for David Pipe having warmed-up for this with a facile victory over hurdles last month but it’s difficult to make a case for either Daly Tiger or Ganapathi.
Nube Negra (SPA) 6-4 (11-7) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd at 6th, pushed along and held when not fluent 2 out, bad mistake last, not recover and weakened into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 5, 15l behind Greaneteen (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gd in Apr.
Daly Tiger (FR) 28-1 (12-0) In rear, in touch, pushed along and well beaten after 3 out, 6th of 8, 37 1/4l behind Thyme White (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Ganapathi (FR) 9-4 (11-10) Raced mainly in 2nd, not fluent 6th and again 3 out, ridden from next and no impression from last, dropped to 3rd run-in, 3rd of 5, 14 1/4l behind Authorized Art (11-6) at Killarney 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Aug.
Sizing Pottsie (FR) 2-7fav (11-0) Pressed leader, led 2nd, clear 6th, unchallenged, won at Ayr 2m (4) gs in Oct beating Maughold Head (11-0) by 18l, 9 ran.
Edwardstone 4-7fav (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd just before 3 out, went left after 2 out, soon ridden along, unable to go with winner before last, held after, kept on, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Gentleman De Mee (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) gs in Apr.