tended to jump left throughout, always rear, well outpaced when hit 7th, never in contention after
raced in 3rd, went 2nd 5th, slipped on landing 8th, not recover
narrow lead after 2nd, travelling well and 2 lengths ahead, when left well clear 2 out, unchallenged after
held up, hit 10th, headway by passing 3 out, left distance 2nd, 2 out until flat
left in lead 1st, 2 after next, chased winner to 5th, remained handy, ridden after 10th, kept on to take 2nd, no chance with winner
held up in 4th, headway 3 out, travelling well 2 lengths down when fell 2 out
Another top-drawer renewal of what has become the main two-mile event in the first half of the campaign and it is seriously hard to look beyond MASTER MINDED, who can cement his reputation by adding another Grade 1 to his CV. If there is a chink in his armour then Tidal Bay looks the one to exploit it. Paul Nicholls has had a well-documented thin time of it in the big races of late but that old adage of form being temporary and class being permanent can be regurgitated here. The ground here looks perfect for him, he acts around the track and he left that indelible impression when romping away with the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March. All that his Aintree defeat told us was that he isn't as good over two-and-a-half miles, but back over this trip it will take a brave punter who will take him on. If there is going to be a horse who emerges to challenge for his crown this time then Tidal Bay, the new kid on the block, could be the one. On the book he has a full 20lbs to make up with the champ, but he looked no ordinary horse when taking his Arkle and in an end-to-end gallop here he won't be stopping. With Howard Johnson's runners going so well and ground no issue then it will be very interesting to see how he performs against the best in the business. Twist Magic is another classy representative for the Ditcheat team and of course he won this last year on soft ground from a mark of 158. His stablemate aside, he looks among the best of the rest once again after a useful Exeter pipe opener. Another Nicholls inmate Takeroc has six lenths to find with Tidal Bay on their Aintree running from April and he of course could be open to any amount of improvement after having had a hurdles run to blow off the cobwebs. He adds another fascinating dimension to this clash. L'Antartique is better over further than this and is perhaps here because he is becoming difficult to place, Fiepes Shuffle has a massive gap to bridge in terms of ability, while Mahogany Blaze might find this too tough but still looks capable of landing a decent handicap or two in his time. A mouthwatering race for us to enjoy.
Fiepes Shuffle (GER) (10-12) Made all, won at Baden-Baden 2m hdl sft in Oct beating Tressa (10-8) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
L'Antartique (FR) 13-2 (11-10) Always behind, 7th of 9, 42l behind Our Vic (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 9-4 (11-5) Tracked leader, jumped left 3rd, led 12th, ridden and headed approaching last, faded, 3rd of 6, 7l behind My Petra (10-4) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Master Minded (FR) 2-5fav (11-10) Held up, chased leaders in 3rd approaching 9th, disputed lead approaching 3 out, not fluent and headed 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 6, 18l behind Voy Por Ustedes (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Takeroc (FR) 13-8fav (10-5) Led until after 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Chomba Womba (10-6) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Tidal Bay (IRE) 4-11fav (11-10) Soon chasing leader, led 3 out, clear after next, won at Carlisle 2m 4f chs (2) sft in Nov beating Rimsky (11-0) by 11l, 4 ran.
Twist Magic (FR) 9-4fav (11-10) Held up, took closer order 5th, effort approaching 4 out, soon beaten, 4th of 9, 27l behind Ashley Brook (10-4) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
