tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching last, challenging when not much room and squeezed through to challenge flat, led and bumped 2nd final 100 yards, driven out
tracked leaders, went 2nd and stepped at 4th, led before 2 out, driven last, hung left flat, headed and bumped final 100 yards, no extra
tracked leader, led 2nd until 4th, weakened 3 out
held up in last pair, headway to track leaders 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, no impression when dropped to 3rd approaching last
raced keenly, led, pushed along and headed before 2 out, driven and weakened between last 2
held up in last pair, hit 4th, never on terms, tailed off
Zarkandar is bidding to win this for the second year running but has developed a case of seconditis this season. That said, he has the highest rating of these and will certainly handle conditions. But MELODIC RENDEZVOUS has Notarfbad to make the pace for him in this and can land his third Grade 2 contest of the campaign en route to a tilt at the Champion Hurdle. Grumeti should be the pick of the remainder as he actually finished ahead of the selection in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and is no slouch but Golden Chieftain is a staying chaser making his seasonal reappearance and Red Riverman is well out of his depth.
Melodic Rendezvous 7-4 (11-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 4 out, led run-in, kept on well towards finish, won at Haydock 2m hdl G2 (1) hvy in Jan beating Ptit Zig (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Zarkandar (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, niggled along after 3 out, went 2nd after next, challenging when not fluent last, ridden and no impression final 150 yards, 2nd of 3, 8l behind Annie Power (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Golden Chieftain (IRE) 28-1 (10-2) In touch, headway 3 out, soon challenged, led approaching next, clear last, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Mar beating Our Mick (11-4) by 10l, 24 ran.
Grumeti 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, hard driven 3 out, soon lost place, 5th of 6, 43l behind My Tent Or Yours (11-7) at Kempton 2m hdl G1 (1) sft in Dec.
Notarfbad (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Led until 6th, chased leader until weakened before 3 out, left modest 3rd 3 out, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Paddy The Stout (10-4) at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Red Riverman 16-1 (11-8) Held up in last pair, no chance from 5th, hit next, left in poor 4th at the last, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Dodging Bullets (11-8) at Kempton 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft in Dec.
