held up towards rear, headway 6th, blundered 4 out, rallied to chase winner last, stayed on well, just held
mid-division, headway 4th, close 2nd when mistake 4 out, not fluent next, ridden after 2 out, stayed on same pace and held flat
narrow lead, just headed when ran out and unseated rider 8th
reluctant to race and lost 15 lenghts, always behind, hit 5th, pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, went 2nd after 4th, took narrow lead before 8th, ridden 3 out, headed after 2 out, no extra flat
held up in rear, mistake and unseated rider 4th
held up in rear, not fluent 5th, behind 8th, closed from 3 out, no impression on leaders
chased leaders, hit 1st, not fluent 6th, challenged 2 out, soon led, driven flat, held on
pressed leader until after 4th, soon ridden, lost place next, behind after 8th, closed from 3 out, no impression
Four horses in the last 10 years have carried the maximum weight to victory but Twist Magic couldn't do so last year and isn't likely to this year in our view. This ground is softer than he'd like and there are bigger pots further down the line that connections will target. Instead we'll side with SOMERSBY, who deserves to pick up a big pot having taken second at both Cheltenham and Aintree festivals in the spring. It was disappointing to see him make mistakes at Aintree on the latter occasion but the Arkle may have left its mark and he can defend an unbeaten record on soft ground. Cornas took second in this last year having fallen on his previous start but arrives at the top of his game this time and should figure prominently despite being just out of the weights. Similar comments apply to bold jumper Tchico Polos who has plenty in his favour while I'msingingtheblues was travelling well before he fell on his first start for the yard in the Old Roan Chase, but it'll be tough to bounce back in this competitive renewal.
Twist Magic (FR) 13-8fav (11-6) Reluctant to line up and led in start, got flyer and soon led, headed 2nd, chased leader, led 8th, until not fluent and headed 3 out, no chance with winner when weakened to 3rd before last, 3rd of 8, 9l behind I'm So Lucky (11-2) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Somersby (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, chased winner from 8th, hit 10th, hit 12th, challenged 3 out, every chance next, 1 length down when hit last, no extra, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Mad Max (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gs in Apr.
Herecomesthetruth (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Led, hard pressed 4 out, headed before next, soon ridden, outpaced when mistake next, lost 2nd and weakened before last, 3rd of 6, 29l behind Saphir Des Bois (9-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (2) hvy in Feb.
Chaninbar (FR) 40-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, chased leaders 4 out, led 3 out, joined 2 out, narrowly headed last, kept battling away flat, 2nd of 17, 1/2l behind Edgbriar (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Oct.
I'msingingtheblues (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, close up 3rd and every chance when fell 4 out, in a race won by Monet's Garden (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) (4yo+) (1) gs in Oct, 6 ran.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 7-1 (11-2) Held up, disputing 5th when fell 9th, in a race won by I'm So Lucky (11-2) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Cornas (NZ) 11-8 (11-5) Tracked leader, 3rd halfway, improved to lead approaching 2 out, ridden to assert before last, kept on well, won at Limerick 2m 1f chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Oct beating Cruising Katie (10-9) by 3l, 5 ran.
Tchico Polos (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 5 out, headed 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 5, 6l behind French Opera (11-7) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gd in Apr.
The Sawyer (BEL) 8-1 (11-2) Soon led and disputed, bad mistake 6th, headed 4 out, remained prominent, 4th before straight, weakened from after 2 out, 9th of 16, 20l behind Polmar (9-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs gd in Apr.
