tracked clear leader, left in lead and badly hampered and headed 6th, weakened 9th
tracked leader, pecked on landing and good recovery 1st, hampered 6th, not fluent 9th, led after 2 out, soon ridden clear
held up in rear, mistake 2nd, not fluent 9th, remote 3rd when fell last, remounted and walked across line
held up in touch, led soon after 6th, headed after 2 out, soon weakened
Just five are set to face the starter here and it looks to be a straight shootout between AFSOUN and King's Quay, with the former selected, but there's likely to be some support too for Silvo. The selection won on his chase debut last time out despite one or two problems, and although giving plenty of weight around in testing conditions, he's coped with that in the past. He's currently around 20-1 for the Arkle. King's Quay is making his chase debut after a recent spell on the Flat following a successful hurdling career. If backing him, you're taking the chance he'll get over the bigger fences. Silvo is the only course and distance winner in the field - that was last time out a couple of weeks ago - but the ground may be too sticky for him. Despite the small field, this could be an interesting contest.
Afsoun (FR) 4-11fav (11-1) Held up in touch, went 2nd approaching 6th, mistake 4 out, ridden after 3 out, jumped left 2 out, rallied under pressure flat, led last strides, won at Warwick 2m nov chs (3) gs in Nov beating Oh Crick (11-7) by a hd, 6 ran.
Boscall Hill (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Led, headed 9th, ridden 10th, saddle slipped soon after 11th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Jackella (11-11) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Kings Quay 28-1 (11-0) Held up behind, never dangerous, 16th of 21, well behind Pearl King (10-10) at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Peak Seasons (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Always in rear, mistake 4th, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Cheating Chance (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f nov chs (3) gd in Nov.
Silvo (NZ) 10-1 (9-11) Held up, chased leader 9th, joined leader soon after 3 out, led soon after next, clear, won at Fakenham 2m cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Nov beating Beau Torero (11-9) by 9l, 6 ran.