chased leader, hit 5th, hit 3 out, soon led, hit and headed 2 out, one pace
always behind
led, headed after 3 out, led again briefly 2 out, soon beaten
chased leaders, mistake 1st, reminder 4th, mistake 4 out, weakened 3 out
held up, raced wide, headway after 3 out, switched right 2 out, soon led on bit, clear last, easily
Lord Olympia should collect if he stays upright, with Vicario and Terivic taken to chase him home. Lord Olympia managed to score twice over hurdles, but on breeding was always going to make a nice chaser, and has already won two of his six starts over the bigger obstacles. Runner-up on two more occasions, he may well have added to his haul but for falling twice when in with every chance in better company than today's, at Wetherby and Wincanton. The seven-year-old made a couple of mistakes when seeing off moderate opponents at Fontwell, including Fisherman Jack who runs in the 2:30pm here today, and if he is to line up in one of his three engagements at Cheltenham next week, he will have to impress more with his jumping. However, even if he does again miss the odd one out, he should prove too strong for today's rivals and will be a warm order. Vicario made the most of his age allowance when landing a beginners' chase at Sedgefield, but failed under his penalty at Haydock next time. The slight drop back in trip is a worry here, although the stiff finish will bring his stamina into play so he should not be ruled out entirely. Kim Bailey was pleased with Terivic's winning performance here in November and his charge also ran well in defeat behind The Outlier here last time, having to give weight to that in-form rival. He looks the other major player, but the one to beat is Lord Olympia.
Lord Olympia (IRE) 8-15fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, hit 15th, led 4 out, not fluent 2 out, stayed on, readily, won at Fontwell 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Feb beating Fisherman Jack (10-0) by 14l, 4 ran.
Monty Be Quick 40-1 (9-7) Mid-division, hit 2nd, headway 3rd, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 10, 31l behind The Outlier (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Terivic 14-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 3rd to 7th, led again 11th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, one pace, 2nd of 10, 5l behind The Outlier (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Vicario 9-2 (11-2) In touch, outpaced when hit 12th, no danger after, 3rd of 6, 24l behind Bannister Lane (10-3) at Haydock 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb.
Waltzing Beau 33-1 (10-8) In touch, ridden 4 out, weakened next, 12th of 20, 44l behind Material World (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Man From Highworth 14-1 (10-11) In rear, headway 4th, led 7th, blundered and headed 15th, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 35l behind Martha's Kinsman (11-4) at Ludlow 3m beg chs (4) gf in Feb.
The Glen Road (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 7th to next, ridden after 4 out, left chasing winner 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 8, 17l behind Cornish Rebel (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 4f beg chs (E) gs in Oct '04.
