soon chased leaders, mistake 4th, 5th 4 out, lost place and no impression under pressure into straight, well beaten in 7th when fell last
towards rear, 5th and ridden into straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace
in touch towards rear, beaten in last when mistake 3 out, no extra
tracked leaders, got in a little close to 4 out and 3 out, challenged under pressure and every chance last, kept on without matching winner run-in
soon tracked leaders, went 2nd travelling best approaching last, soon on terms, led and stayed on well run-in
in touch towards rear, pushed along from 4 out, ridden in 7th into straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace without threatening
in rear, some headway in 6th into straight, soon no impression
mid-division, fell 3rd
prominent, soon disputed lead, under pressure when bad mistake 2 out, no extra after
soon led, slightly slow jump 3rd and disputed lead afterwards, strongly pressed and slight mistake last, headed and no extra
refused to race
Sandown is the favourite track of TWIST MAGIC and most certainly not Cheltenham. Paul Nicholls' charge won this in 2008 after a poor effort in the Champion Chase and bids to complete a double after once again jumping badly in the big race at The Festival. He had easily outpointed Forpadydeplasterer in the Tingle Creek in December but Thomas Cooper's charge produced an outstanding effort in the Champion to finish runner-up behind Big Zeb with Kalahari King third and Golden Silver well beaten. He again occupied second spot behind Albertas Run over 2m4f at Aintree when Kalahari King was an early faller but another hard race that day may just have taken its toll. Arkle hero Sizing Europe is unbeaten over fences and his accurate jumping could have these rivals in trouble though these will be the best opponents he has met so far over the bigger obstacles. Scotsirish was attempting to concede 26lbs to Always Waining in the Topham at Aintree and though that was a magnificent effort it falls short of what is required in this.
Barker (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) In rear, blundered 4th, struggling when jumped right 13th, behind when jumped right 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Albertas Run (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs G1 (1) gs in Mar, 13 ran.
Cornas (NZ) 16-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway approaching 10th, ridden before last, stayed on same pace, 4th of 19, 6l behind Pigeon Island (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Don't Be Bitin (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Held up in touch, left 3rd 5 out, 2nd and challenged approaching 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure from before last, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Golden Silver (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp chs hvy.
Forpadydeplasterer (IRE) 4-1fav (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on approaching last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Albertas Run (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f chs G1 (1) gd.
Golden Silver (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Held up in touch, 4th 4 out, smooth headway after next, led travelling well last, stayed on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp chs hvy beating Blueberry Boy (10-9) by 3l, 10 ran.
Kalahari King (FR) 4-1fav (11-10) Held up towards rear fell 2nd, in a race won by Albertas Run (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f chs G1 (1) gd, 11 ran.
Natal (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, progress into 4th 4 out, smooth headway on outer after 2 out, 2nd travelling well last, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Tranquil Sea (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 1f chs Grd 2 sft in Feb.
Salford City (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, not as quick as leader 4 out, ridden to challenge and on terms 3 out, soon headed, dropped to 3rd and no impression from last, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Jubilant Note (10-6) at Cork 2m 1f hcp chs gf in Jun.
Scotsirish (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, chased leaders in 6th when mistake 3 out, chased clear pair approaching 2 out, soon left 2nd, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 27, 12l behind Always Waining (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f list hcp ch (1) gs.
Sizing Europe (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, joined leader going well 4 out, led after 2 out, ridden 2 lengths clear last, stayed on under pressure flat, held on, won at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar beating Somersby (11-7) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Twist Magic (FR) 8-1 (11-10) With leaders until dropped in 3rd at 4th, blundered and lost place 4 out, behind when pulled up before next, in a race won by Big Zeb (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs G1 (1) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
