made all, well clear from 3rd, no danger when mistake 2 out, eased run in, unchallenged
jumped left, chased winner to 4 out, weakened quickly, tailed off
tracked leaders, chased winner from 4 out, no impression and mistakes last 3
raced in 4th, no impression when mistake 4 out, tailed off
held up in rear, well behind after 6th, tailed off
slow jump first, behind, droped to last at 4th, mistake and lost touch next, tailed off
This looks to be a virtual match between Eric's Charm and Widemouth Bay, with preference for the former. The selection holds Widemouth Bay on running behind Perle de Puce at Ascot in December and, while the Philip Hobbs-trained gelding may be better than he showed that day, it is asking a lot of the son of Be My Native to turn the tables on Eric¿s Charm. Oliver Sherwood's gelding subsequently finished second to the Cheltenham bound Inglis Drever and he looks the one to be on. Henrietta Knight's Exeter winner Melford looks the best of the remainder. The ex-French trained Kosmos Bleu and flat stayer Simon's Seat have both disappointed so far and this should go to Eric's Charm, who is taken to give weight away all round.