led, mistake 6th, headed and blundered 4 out, stayed challenging until weakened approaching 2 out
close 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 9th
held up in touch, chased leader approaching 2 out, challenged and led last, driven out flat
in touch, jumped slowly 8th, weakened approaching 4 out
took keen hold, held up until blundered and unseated rider 3rd
chased leader, narrow leader 4 out, headed last, one pace flat
Razer Blade was a fortunate winner at Wincanton on his first run after a long absence. However, he is a notoriously lazy worker at home and is entitled to strip fitter for that run. Nicky Henderson also runs Deoch an Dorais, who has been second in three of his last four runs. He is more than capable of winning from his current mark, even though he tends to find less off the bridle than ideal. Chateau Rose, who at one time held a Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Chase entry, is now five pounds worse off for beating him two lengths at Leicester in January (on soft going). Chateau Rose has only ever raced on going with give in it. Elenas River has shown little recently from a revised mark but, now that the handicapper is starting to relent, can't be entirely ruled out. The lightly raced Pharaway Citizen is only four pounds higher than for his course and distance win and is entitled to go well. The downside with him is that he can hit a few fences and has had his problems. Echo du Lac is nine pounds higher than for his last win and, given that he stays three miles well, might just find one with a bit too much toe for him. Cape Stormer has had a good season, winning twice from four outings, but is four pounds higher than for the most-recent of those. Given that the going has come in his favour and he also comes here a relatively fresh horse, he can continue the good form of Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh and win again.
