held up in touch, hit 9th, headway and led briefly approaching 13th, chased leader 15th, 2nd when hit 4 out, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, jumped left for no extra from 2 out
always behind, not fluent 4th and 5th, lost touch 13th, pulled up before 4 out
chased leader, led 13th, ridden approaching 3 out, ran on well from 2 out, pushed out from last
prominent, reminder 12th, mistake 16th, soon ridden, lost touch approaching 4 out
led to approaching 13th, with leader until not fluent 14th, ridden 15th, lost touch 16th
My Will has the class to defy topweight over the likes of Little Brick, Bold Bishop and Preacher Boy. Trainer Paul Nicholls has made a habit of farming this event over the past decade, having won it no less than five times, including with dual hero See More Business. Silver Birch let the side down 12 months ago, but hopefully My Will can put matters right today. He has bags of experience over fences, having been sent chasing in 2004, and has been campaigned at a high level since. He gained his biggest success to date at Cheltenham in November before failing narrowly to give weight to D'Argent and New Alco on a return visit the following month. With conditions to suit, he must take all the beating today. Little Brick came over from France with a big reputation, having tackled Listed company on his last start, but he is having his first outing since October and may be found out. Bold Bishop has taken on top opposition in the past and will be all the better for his return at Exeter behind Sporazene, a stablemate of the selection. Preacher Boy and Napolitain need to improve markedly to figure, and while respecting what Little Brick may be capable of in the future, we look to My Will to keep up his stable's excellent record in this event.
My Will (FR) 6-1jt-fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, stayed on strongly, just failed, 3rd of 15, hd behind D'Argent (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Dec.
Bold Bishop (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Held up behind leaders, went 3rd approaching 8th, weakened approaching 4 out, 3rd of 4, well behind Sporazene (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f Grad Ch (2) sft in Dec.
Little Brick (FR) (11-0) Always prominent, effort last, led flat, ran on well, won at Auteuil 2m 7f hcp chs in Oct '05 beating Jo Banbou (9-9) by 2l, 12 ran.
Napolitain (FR) 33-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden when fell at the 15th in race won by Rambling Minster (10-5) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs, 18 ran.
Preacher Boy 9-4fav (11-9) Chased leaders, went prominent 15th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Kerstino Two (11-0) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Jan.
