settled in 3rd, took closer order 7th, blundered 4 out, rallied next, weakened 2 out
made all, keen early, jumped well, ran on strongly
tracked winner, driven to challenge 2 out, kept on well closing stages
Midnight Chorister needs holding up until the last moment and Kielan Woods has done that to perfection twice since December. He's only gone up 4lb for his recent victory at Stratford but this small field doesn't look ideal for him even though ARTIFICE SIVOLA has gone up a massive 12lb for his all-the-way victory at Fakenham. Still only a five-year-old, the grey set off in front and never looked like being caught so he's handed the vote to complete a quick double. George Nympton was beaten 40l in that latter event though he's 17lb better off and should get much closer.
Midnight Chorister 3-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, every chance last, stayed on strongly to lead closing stages, won at Stratford 2m 1f 5yo nov hcp (4) gs beating Rear Admiral (11-12) by 1l, 6 ran.
Artifice Sivola (FR) 8-11fav (11-11) Mistakes, made all, clear when jumped awkwardly 2 out, comfortable, won at Fakenham 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs beating Albatros De Guye (10-10) by 20l, 6 ran.
George Nympton (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) In touch, headway to chase winner approaching 8th, 6 lengths down when blundered and lost 2nd 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 41l behind Artifice Sivola (11-11) at Fakenham 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs.
