prominent, led 7th, hard pressed from 4 out, all out
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 9th, pressed winner from 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on close home, just held
led until 7th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders, ridden after 9th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
An intriguing little contest where Spidam can use his advantage at the weights to get the better of Marcel, while Rare Gold is fancied to emerge on top over Smoke Trail in a separate battle as the best of the rest. Smoke Trail has a couple of completed starts over fences to his name and can be found a race somewhere along the line. He can derive plenty of benefit from today's experience and this will give his connections a good gauge of his true abilities. Rare Gold was jumping well and still held every chance when he fell at Southwell last month. He can be forgiven his novicey mistake but will need to be at the top of his game to trouble the big guns here. Marcel - being the most experienced - has to merit serious consideration, as he is a versatile character that can be relied upon to give his all. However, quite whether he is capable of conceding 11lb to Spidam has to be a concern and he has his work cut out today. The Paul Nicholls-trained five-year-old will be suited by going right-handed and this looks a good platform for Spidam to launch his 2007 campaign.
Marcel (FR) 10-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, driven along after 4 out, hit 3 out and weakened, 4th of 11, 23l behind Oedipe (10-2) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Spidam (FR) 10-11fav (11-6) Jumped badly right 1st, chased leaders, effort when jumped right 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Quasimodo (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft in Jan '06.
Rare Gold (IRE) 10-3 (11-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 13th, in 2nd and going well when fell 4 out in race won by Sharp Belline (11-7) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec, 6 ran.
Smoke Trail (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Held up in mid-division, ridden and effort 4 out, stayed on one pace, 4th of 9, 15l behind Pearl King (10-8) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
