keen in touch until weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up rear, mistake 9th and 13th, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
keen, led to 2nd, led again 4th until headed 4 out, soon beaten
not fluent, led after 2nd to 4th, ridden 11th, weakened 4 out
mistake 2nd, behind from 7th, tailed off
always in touch, mistake 2nd, led 4 out, soon clear, unchallenged
Supreme Toss is impossible to oppose here with Opal Ridge and Beauchamp Prince rating the main dangers. The selection was a good third behind Ardeghey in a much better race last time out. That form looks rock solid in the context of this race and he need only run up to that mark to win this easily. Opal Ridge rates the main danger on his best form but he has not run for 737 days so he can not be put forward with any confidence. Beauchamp Prince will jump round in his own time but he has plenty to find on official bhb figures. Of the remainder Royal Scandal won a point to point last time out but this looks tougher and for the winner we return to Supreme Toss who gets the confident vote.
Opal Ridge 14-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway after 8th, joined winner 13th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 14, 27l behind Double Honour (11-3) at Taunton 3m nov chs (E) gd in Mar '04.
Rioja Rally (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Mistakes in rear, hit 6th, blundered 8th, soon tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Snakebite (11-4) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Royal Scandal 4-5fav (12-00) won at Necarne 3m pt-to-pt hvy in May beating Drineevar (12-0) by 10l, 9 ran.
Supreme Toss (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway approaching 10th, last place 11th, rallied 13th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, took poor 3rd flat, 3rd of 14, 22l behind Ardaghey (11-4) at Towcester 3m beg chs (4) sft in Feb.
Uncle Ada (IRE) 200-1 (10-0) Held up last, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by King Coal (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Beauchamp Prince (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Jumped slowly throughout, held up in rear, blundered 14th, never on terms, 5th of 8, 40l behind Eskimo Pie (11-4) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) gs in Feb.
