chased leader until hit 4th, not keen after, dropped to rear and hit 6th and pulled up before next
held up in touch, headway to 2nd well before 3 out, led on outside 3 out, jumped left 2 out, soon driven, headed last, no impression on winner flat, kept on well for clear 2nd
led until mistake and headed 7th, weakened into 5th when fell 8th
took keen hold, held up in touch, mistake 7th, headway to 3rd approaching 2 out, one pace and no chance with front pair
chased leaders, led 7th, briefly headed next, led after 4 out, stayed on inner and narrowly headed 3 out, stayed challenging, driven to regain lead, went left and not fluent last, driven and in command flat
held up in 6th, not fluent 2nd, 6th and pushed along after 4 out, headway to modest 4th 2 out
reluctant to go to post, prominent, chased leader 4th, led 8th to after 4 out, weakened before 2 out
held up in rear, some headway approaching 4 out, weakened before next
A cracking contest that revolves around the abilities of WELL CHIEF and Petit Robin, while Crack Away Jack steps up another notch and Briareus loves it here and could go well at a price. The last-named is a relatively rare runner over jumps for Andrew Balding, who does well on his raids here. Included in that success is Briareus, who has scored twice over today's course and distance, both times on good to soft. The most recent of those was last season when he gave 3lbs and a length beating to I'msingingtheblues, who is 1lb worse off today. Short of top class, Briareus has frame claims nonetheless. Definitely not short of top class is the selection, Well Chief. Unfortunate to have been around during the era of Master Minded, and blighted by injury, he is as good as many two-mile champions of the past, and at his best he is a fine sight. He is supremely consistent, acts on good ground, although is better when there is some cut underfoot, and he is the one they all have to beat today. On what we have seen so far, Petit Robin looks the closest to him on form. Nicky Henderson's gelding has a 2lb pull for a two-length beating by Well Chief when the pair were second and third in this year's Champion Chase, and he is at his best on good to soft. Add to that his youthful profile compared to the selection and the trainer's brilliant record here, and he looks a major threat. Another very exciting prospect is Crack Away Jack. Emma Lavelle's gelding doesn't appear to have much to find at these weights on official figures, having hammered decent yardstick Calusa Crystal at Sandown before going well enough in defeat to rising star Somersby back at the Esher track. The slight concern with him is his jumping, which was put under pressure in that latest defeat, and although the obstacles aren't as tricky here he will have to be more fluent at the pace they are likely to go if he is to prevail. Mahogany Blaze is very good on his day, but inconsistent. He has good form at this track, however, and may represent a bit of value, although we prefer the claims of Well Chief, who has few miles on the clock and can put the youngsters in their place.
Briareus 25-1 (11-10) Led to 3rd, remained close up until pushed along approaching 10th, lost place 5 out, pulled up after next, in a race won by Voy Por Ustedes (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Well Chief (GER) 4-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, not fluent throughout, effort before 3rd last, weakened next, 3rd of 5, 24l behind Twist Magic (11-7) at Sandown 2m Grade 1 chs (4yo+) (1) sft.
Fix The Rib (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Made all, jumped well, clear approaching 3 out, stayed on strongly, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (2) gd in Nov beating Master Medic (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
I'msingingtheblues (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, every chance when not fluent 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 18l behind Planet Of Sound (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs Grade 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Petit Robin (FR) 9-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 10, well behind Voy Por Ustedes (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Apr.
Crack Away Jack 8-11fav (11-2) Held up in 4th, headway 4 out, every chance last, no extra flat, 2nd of 4, 2 3/4l behind Somersby (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grade 2 4yo+ (1) sft.
Doctor David 8-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, took keen hold, hit 2nd, headway 4th, hit 6th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 10, 44l behind Consigliere (11-2) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Held up in 4th, mistake 4th, slow 7th, weakened 4 out, last of 5, 49l behind Twist Magic (11-7) at Sandown 2m Grade 1 chs (4yo+) (1) sft.
