not always fluent, held up, shaken up and headway approaching 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, led 9th, clear last, ridden out
held up, headway into 4th 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, weakening when mistake 4 out, tailed off
held up, headway 4th, ridden after 4 out, chased winner after next, always held, lost 2nd near finish
led until 2nd, with leader, hit 9th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off
led 2nd until 9th, ridden after next, lost 2nd after 3 out, weakened next
It's a shame that we have no Master Minded in the race but it's an intriguing contest nonetheless and from a shortlist of Oumeyade, Twist Magic and KALAHARI KING, it is the last-named who is fancied to triumph. Ferdy Murphy's stable star was second in the Arkle before making amends in a Grade One at Aintree. He was a ready winner there and assuming that the ground stays on the quick side of good, then he could win this. The drop in trip should be no problem as he has a high cruising speed and the novice can win it. Andreas won this race last year but he looks the least enticing of Paul Nicholls' trio. The best looks to be Twist Magic who is a course and distance winner but his jumping has become a major cause for concern of late. Stablemate Oumeyade has been given a break since his last run but had previously looked very progressive, and along with Santa's Son he is considered. The last-named was not totally disgraced in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and he looks to have settled in well to his new yard this season. Mahogany Blaze is capable of running well at big odds as he has chased home some good horses this season; however it is Kalahari King who can reign supreme.
Kalahari King (FR) 9-4 (11-4) Held up in touch, went 3rd to chase leaders approaching 5th, led after 2 out, clear from last, won at Aintree 2m nov ch Grd 1 (1) gs beating Tatenen (11-4) by 8l, 6 ran.
Twist Magic (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, rear when hit 7th and 8th, well behind after 4 out, fell 2 out, in a race won by Master Minded (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar, 12 ran.
Andreas (FR) 9-1 (11-7) Mid-division, lost place 8th behind and fell 3 out, in a race won by Pepsyrock (10-4) at Ayr 2m hcp chs (2) gd, 8 ran.
Enlightenment (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) With leader, led 3rd, soon headed, remained prominent, ridden before 3 out, one pace last, 5th of 17, 5l behind Oh Crick (11-1) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gd.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 40-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, hampered 9th, modest seventh 3 out, never in contention, 6th of 12, 23l behind Master Minded (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar.
Oumeyade (FR) 8-11fav (11-8) Went right at some fences, led at strong pace, ridden and headed 2 out, soon struggling, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Original (11-2) at Kempton 2m nov chs Grade 2 4yo+ (1) gd in Dec.
Santa's Son (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Prominent 1st, chased leaders, hit 3rd, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 12, 49l behind Master Minded (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar.
