tracked clear leader, not fluent 4th and 7th, outpaced in 3rd after 4 out, soon ridden and one pace, weakened 2 out
held up mainly in 3rd, outpaced in 4th after 12th, weakened 2 out
held up 5th and last, headway into 3rd after 11th, went 2nd 4 out, challenged next, led approaching 2 out, 4 lengths clear when went right last, ridden and held on flat
jumped right on occasions, led and clear to before 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no impression in 3rd before last
held up mainly in 4th, dropped to rear and reminder after 10th, headway under pressure 3 out, went 4 lengths 2nd before last, ridden and stayed on flat, not reach winner
Double Chocolate won twice over course and distance last year and will be all the better for a recent second over hurdles over an inadequate trip. Bold Perk came back to form in a four-runner race at Wincanton earlier this month but seems to favour very fast ground nowadays while Western King didn't appear to get home on his previous try over a distance in excess of 3m. THEMILANHORSE appears to have plenty to find on his form to date over fences but there is undoubtedly more to come from Paul Nicholls' novice and he did win over hurdles off a higher mark. The seven-year-old can complete his hat-trick.
Themilanhorse (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Tracked leader, mistake 14th, 6 lengths down 3 out, closed on leaders to lead bend before last, ridden out, won at Fakenham 3m nov chs (3) gd beating Private Equity (11-4) by 9l, 5 ran.
Western King (IRE) 7-4fav (11-6) Held up in last pair in touch, chased leading pair after 5 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Raduis Bleu (10-6) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd.
Bold Perk (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Keen close up in last, went 3rd 8th, headway to lead 16th, clear from 3 out, ran on, comfortable, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf beating Key Cutter (11-4) by 22l, 4 ran.
Double Chocolate 7-2 (10-12) Led, joined 3 out, headed 2 out, soon outpaced by winner, 2nd of 5, 19l behind Captain Kelly (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Eleazar (GER) 33-1 (11-4) Held up in last pair, steady headway 7th, riddena nd weakened 12th, tailed off, 8th of 10, 42l behind No Loose Change (11-8) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
