Concerns over RIVERSIDE THEATRE's stamina were swept aside as the seven-year-old stayed on well to finish second to stablemate Long Run in the King George at Kempton. This is a slightly stiffer track but shouldn't be used as an excuse if he's beaten and he has to be given the vote getting 4lb from What A Friend. Harry Skelton's mount won Grade 1 contests at Leopardstown and Aintree last season and will be all the better for his fifth to Imperial Commander at Haydock, though the Gold Cup at Cheltenham next month is probably his main objective this year. Noland doesn't look the force of old and was pulled up at Cheltenham last month while Fair Along is far better over hurdles, though should ensure this is run at a decent gallop. The others may struggle on these terms.
What A Friend 3-1 (11-7) Held up behind in touch, headway and in touch when not fluent 11th, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten, 5th of 7, 14l behind Imperial Commander (11-7) at Haydock 3m chs G1 (1) gs in Nov.
Riverside Theatre 10-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, mistake 13th, outpaced 5 out, ridden 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd after 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 12l behind Long Run (11-10) at Kempton 3m chs G1 (1) gs in Jan.
Dance Island (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, chased leaders in 5th when blundered and stumbled badly 5 out, soon weakened, refused 3 out, in a race won by Synchronised (11-6) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs (1) sft in Jan, 18 ran.
Ogee 11-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, blundered 3rd, headway 11th, chased leaders 13th, every chance when blundered 4 out, well beaten 5th when blundered badly 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 17, well behind Midnight Chase (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 3f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov.
Fair Along (GER) 16-1 (11-8) Led until headed 6th, chased leader, hit 8th, lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened soon after, 9th of 14, 44l behind Grands Crus (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G2 (1) gs in Jan.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 14-1 (11-8) In rear when blundered and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Tatenen (10-13) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Jan, 11 ran.
Noland 13-2 (11-12) Not fluent and never really travelled, in touch, lost place 6th, driven and mistake 10th, soon in rear, tailed off and pulled up, in a race won by Wishfull Thinking (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
