tracked leader, hit 4th, pecked 12th, led 4 out, went right 2 out, jumped well last, in command and ridden out flat
jumped right throughout, led at steady pace, pushed along and quickened after 14th, headed 4 out, ridden and lost 2nd before 3 out, soon beaten
tended to jump right, tracked leading pair, not fluent 3rd, mistake 8th (water), blundered badly and lost ground 14th, rallied to chase winner before 3 out, went right last, kept on flat, always held
With Flight Leader the only un-sexy one in this small field it could be tight. Narrow preference is for DIAMOND HARRY although Bensalem will improve now upped to this three mile trip. Nick Williams' gelding is a superstar and he looks a major player for the RSA Chase next month. He made a pleasing start to his chasing career when winning at Haydock where he jumped fluently, although he was left with less to do when Bensalem departed. The race was just starting to hot up but you have to feel he would have won regardless. Bensalem has less pace than the selection, and this longer trip is very much in his favour. His confidence needs to be intact, but if it is then he can make a race of it receiving 3lbs from his two main rivals. The other is Inchidaly Rock. He also fell last time out in a top race won by stablemate Taranis, but his earlier Hey Big Spender form looks rock solid and this imposing individual needs to put in a good prep for Cheltenham and most likely a crack at the four mile race. Flight Leader is now ten; he has had major injury problems in his career and despite his talent will struggle to feature. Diamond Harry gets the nod, but only just.
Diamond Harry 8-11fav (11-0) Close up, tracking leaders, led soon after 4 out, left clear after hitting 3 out, easily, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) hvy in Jan beating Knockara Beau (11-7) by 16l, 4 ran.
Inchidaly Rock (IRE) 11-4 (11-3) Chased leaders, slightly hampered 5th, slithered on landing and fell 9th, in a race won by Taranis (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Bensalem (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Held up in 4th, closed before 4 out, went close when 2nd when fell 3 out, in a race won by Diamond Harry (11-0) at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) hvy in Jan, 4 ran.
Flight Leader (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Tracked leader, raced keenly, lost 2nd approaching 6th, remained handy, hampered 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 42l behind Synchronised (11-2) at Chepstow 3m nov chs (3) hvy in Dec.
