made all, reached for 5th, hit 10th, dived badly 3 out and looked vunerable, in command approaching last, just nudged along from run-in, cleverly
raced wide, chased winner, hit 14th and pushed along, left with chance as winner dived badly 3 out, upsides and every chance 2 out, ridden before last and held, flattered by proximity to winner
Nonrunner
Soft ground may not be ideal for KINGS PALACE in his final prep race ahead of the RSA but there will be some long faces around Nicholashayne if the gelding fails to give weight to his two rivals and extend his unbeaten record over fences. His jumping has been breathtaking in a couple of victories at Cheltenham and he's a smart prospect. Vivaldi Collonges was beaten more than 40 lengths last time and appears to have little hope of turning the tables but is still preferred to Salmanazar, who has a bit to prove after falling at the first at Leicester last month.
Kings Palace (IRE) Evensfav (11-9) Made all, not fluent 4th, shaken up and went clear flat, easily, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) gs in Dec beating Sausalito Sunrise (11-6) by 7l, 4 ran.
Vivaldi Collonges (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Not always fluent, prominent until after 1st, chased leaders on outside, pecked 15th, mistake and stumbled 3 out, soon beaten, weakened next, last of 4, 41l behind Kings Palace (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) gs in Dec.
Salmanazar 9-2 (11-6) Fell 1st, in a race won by Perfect Candidate (11-0) at Leicester 2m 7f nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan, 7 ran.
