held up in 3rd, went 2nd 7th, led approaching and jumped left next, not fluent 10th, headed after 2 out, blundered last, soon weakened
tracked leader, lost 2nd place at 7th, chased leaders 13th, not fluent and under pressure 3 out, jumped left next, kept on from last, no chance with winner
led until approaching 8th, chased leader 3 out, soon every chance, led after next, soon clear
Only four go to post but it's an intriguing contest nonetheless which can go the way of Gold Medallist with Temoin likely to pose the biggest danger. Iconoclast is out of his depth but Antonius Caesar could profit if misfortune befalls the principals now that he's stepped back up to a more suitable trip. Temoin was the more talented of the two market leaders over hurdles but he's also a quirky individual who appeared to down tools when the going got tough on his reappearance. Even if he were on his best behaviour today, there'd be no guarantee that he'd get the better of his market rival. Gold Medallist had been off the track for well over two years prior to making his chase debut in a warm contest at Cheltenham which saw him finish second to Tidal Bay and ahead of the talented Duc De Regniere. That was an exceptional performance and he should take the honours.
Iconoclast (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Left in lead 2nd, mistake 8th, clear when blundered badly and unseated rider at the 13th in race won by Beat The Boys (11-6) at Warwick 3m 2f nov chs (3) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Temoin 3-1 (11-0) In touch, headway and led 11th, headed 3 out, ridden and mistake 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Portland Bill (11-0) at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
Antonius Caesar (FR) 7-4fav (10-7) Held up in touch, went 2nd 6 out, joined leader 5 out, ridden and effort 2 out, kept on until no extra flat, 4th of 5, 6l behind Pseudonym (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f beg chs (3) gf in Dec.
Gold Medallist 11-1 (11-0) Led, not fluent 4 out, ridden, hit 2 out, soon headed, no impression on winner from last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Tidal Bay (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) gd in Dec.
