soon led, headed after 3rd, led after 4th to 10th, lost touch 13th, soon no chance
chased leader until mistake and unseated rider 2nd
held up mid-division, led briefly approaching 10th, led 14th, blundered and headed 4 out, rallied to chase winner 3 out, mistake 2 out, stayed on well from last
chased leader, led after 3rd to after 4th, with leader until led 10th, headed 14th, left in lead 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, ran on gamely from 2 out
always behind, no impression
In a small but select field, Ollie Magern gets a narrow vote over One Knight and Royal Auclair, with the other two making up the numbers. The HBLB Cotswold Chase has been transferred from the abandoned Cheltenham card last weekend, but unfortunately has attracted just the five runners. However, the front three in the betting should ensure a decent spectacle, and in what will be a tactical affair no doubt, we take Ollie Magern to make all. The Nigel-Twiston Davies inmate looks set for another profitable season when beating Kingscliff in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby on his reappearance, but was a well beaten last of seven behind Robert Alner's charge at Haydock next time, with Royal Auclair ahead of him in fifth. He was not allowed to stride out in his customary manner that day, and was again taken on, this time by Impek, in the King George. Once again, Royal Auclair finished ahead of him, but the belief is that this sharp track and small field will play into his hands, and with One Knight only just on the way back after a pelvic injury, the selection is taken to make all and kick away from Royal Auclair in the straight. All three are undoubtedly top-class individuals, and indeed Philip Hobbs has plenty of options for One Knight, including the Gold Cup and Grand National,while Royal Auclair, Fourth in the big one at Cheltenham, and runner-up at Aintree last year, will also have those events in his sights. Today though, Ollie Magern can beat them both.
Ollie Magern 11-1 (11-10) Made most to 12th, stayed handy until beaten 18th, 6th of 9, 40l behind Kicking King (11-10) at Sandown 3m chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Dec.
One Knight (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (11-8) Led 4th until ridden and headed 4 out, chasing winner when fell at the last in race won by L'aventure (10-4) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Dec, 18 ran.
Royal Auclair (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leading pair to 11th, weakened 16th, beaten when hit 2 out, 5th of 9, 20l behind Kicking King (11-10) at Sandown 3m chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Dec.
See You Sometime 33-1 (11-2) Prominent, led after 3rd, headed 5th, weakened 5 out, 10th of 13, 49l behind Fondmort (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Jan.
Ballycassidy (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) Soon well outpaced in rear, just in touch 9th, continued tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Kicking King (11-10) at Sandown 3m chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Dec.
