tracked leader, hit 7th, joined leader 3 out, ridden after last, led narrowly flat, asserted clear final 50 yards
led, joined by winner 3 out, ridden after last, headed narrowly flat, kept on and every chance until no extra final 50 yards
chased leading pair until lost place and dropped to rear before 6th, outpaced when blundered 4 out, soon weakened
held up behind, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous
held up behind, went 3rd before 6th, ridden and no impression 2 out, 12 lengths down last, kept on flat, no chance with leading pair
Ferdy Murphy sees BEDLAM BOY as a feasible contender for the Arkle, and whilst that looks a little pie-in-the-sky, he should be good enough to win this from Silk Drum in what looks a two-horse race. The selection was a creditable second to Tazbar at Doncaster last time out and so comes here in good form. There is no rival of that quality in this race and with the drop in trip on testing ground not a problem he looks sure to run well. Given his trainer's efforts with Kalahari King in the past, perhaps an emphatic win here will enhance his Arkle claims (currently a general 50/1 chance). Silk Drum has the same official rating as Bedlam Boy, and receiving 3lb he should in theory have the edge. However Bedlam Boy finished within 14 lengths of a horse rated 154, whilst he was only four lengths in front of one rated 117 last time out so there is an argument to say that he might be flattered by that assessment. Nevertheless he did it well here last October and if fit and raring to go then he should have no problem running a big race on ground that shouldn't be a problem (won twice on soft). With Skipping Chapel and St Killian's Run likely to struggle, the only other horse to look at is Tartan Snow. A course winner over hurdles, he fell here last time out in the race where Quwetwo beat Zaynar. His previous third to Bedlam Boy was no disgrace however and on 2lb better terms today he should give it a bold show. However in truth, this looks Bedlam Boy's race to lose.
Bedlam Boy (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Led, pressed by winner from 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, no impression before last, 2nd of 7, 14l behind Tazbar (11-8) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov stks (3) gs in Feb.
Silk Drum (IRE) 4-9fav (10-7) Led from 3rd, ridden flat, kept on well, won at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) gd in Oct beating All For The Cause (11-2) by 4l, 4 ran.
Skipping Chapel 13-2 (10-5) In rear and keen, headway to chase leaders 4 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 9, 19l behind Mardood (10-2) at Catterick 2m 3f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs.
St Killian's Run (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Held up, outpaced after 5 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 41l behind Blacks Bridge (11-3) at Newcastle 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Tartan Snow 50-1 (11-2) In rear, not fluent 4th, soon tracking leading pair, weakened after 4 out, hit next, remote 3rd when fell 2 out, in a race won by Quwetwo (11-2) at Kelso 2m 2f hdl (2) sft in Feb, 4 ran.
