raced freely, held up in touch, headway approaching 4 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden out
led, headed after 8th, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, weakening when hit 2 out
tracked leader, led after 8, hit 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, pressed leader from 8th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, kept on
held up, good headway on inner approaching 4 out, soon ridden, one pace from next
soon tailed off
Races such as these warm the blood on the coldest day and from a field that contains Azertyuiop, Edredon Bleu, Flagship Uberalles, Kadarann and Seebald, we will side with Azertyuiop. The Paul Nicholls-trained selection is, quite simply, one of the most exciting chasers in the country, his reputation cemented by wins in the 2003 Arkle Chase and this year's Queen Mother Champion Chase. His unseated rider in this race last year was a rare aberration and we are very hopeful that he can begin in good style the campaign that is intended to lead to him defending his Cheltenham crown in March. It is great to see the marvellous and incredible Edredon Bleu, who at 12 years of age last season won all five of his races, including this race plus the King George VI Chase and another two Grade 2 chases, returning to the track, along with Flagship Uberalles, who has won three Tingle Creek Chases plus the 2002 Queen Mother Champion Chase and a host of other races, although he is not quite the force of old these days. There is no doubt also that Kadarann and Seebald are high-class chasers on their day but, on official ratings, they have a good bit to find with Azertyuiop who, if anywhere near his best, looks the one to beat over today's trip.
