tracked leaders, blundered and lost place 2nd, blundered 7th, stayed on to take 2nd before last, no impression winner
held up in touch, led 9th, clear after 3 out, eased flat
led, blundered 4th, headed 7th, soon lost place
close up, challenged from 7th, no impression winner when lost 2nd before last, weakened flat
chased leader, led 7th to 4 out, outpaced 3 out, one pace from next
held up in rear until unseated rider 5th
Polar Red gets the vote here over Idiome and Tidour. The Martin Pipe-trained selection has won his last two chases in good style and, although penalised accordingly, holds an Arkle entry and should go close to landing a straight hat-trick of wins. Idiome showed good qualities when battling to victory at Hereford last time and he looks set to go well again, while Tidour has come up against two fair animals since winning on his fencing debut at Uttoxeter in December. He looks set to go very well too. In what looks a decent event, these look to be the principals, with the vote just going to Polar Red.