jumped left several fences early, led until narrowly headed after 6th, stayed chasing winner to 3 out, stayed on same pace after
close-up in 4th, steady headway 4 out, chased winner from 3 out, strong challenge flat, just held
took keen hold, soon tracked leader, led narrowly after 6th, not fluent 7th, clear from next, mistakes 9th and 12th, ridden 4 lengths clear when blundered last, driven flat, just held
settled in 3rd, ridden and stayed on same pace from 3 out
Biliverdin can make the most of the weight that he receives from Calling Brave, in a race that has cut up badly. Due to the fact that Calling Brave stands his ground on topweight, only Alvino now lines up out of the handicap proper, and although he has scope, Henrietta Knight's inmate faces a couple of tough rivals. Calling Brave has obvious claims, having already won over fences here and at Kempton and Folkestone, so is comfortable going right-handed, but he was struggling when unseating four out in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase and it remains to be seen whether that has left its mark. With that in mind it may pay to go instead with Biliverdin who is making up for lost time these days, having never turned into the Champion Hurdle contender that Toby Balding hoped he would. At the age of ten it seemed late in the day to switch to fences but he has not put a foot wrong so far, landing back-to-back victories at Exeter. Connections had the option of going for the Powers Gold Cup in Ireland, a race in which he finished third as a novice two years ago, but the fact that they have decided to run here instead is interesting, and in receipt of 24lbs from Calling Brave he must surely go well. The latter is not the biggest of animals, so giving weight away all round is not the ideal scenario, and the older Biliverdin may just have too much savvy on this occasion.
