jumped well, tracked leading pair, disputed 2nd from 6th, went 2nd 12th, led 2 out, ridden before last, in command flat, driven out (no time taken)
held up in last pair in touch on inside, headway to 3rd at 13th, ridden and outpaced by leading duo when mistake 2 out
tracked leading trio, headway to 2nd at 8th, led 11th, ridden and headed 2 out, switched left before last, held when hit last, kept on flat
jumped left, led, headed 11th, weakened 13th, jumped badly left 4 out, tailed off
held up in last pair, mistake and stumbled 4th, went wrong and pulled up before 9th
chased leader until 8th, soon behind, struggling in last pair 10th, tailed off
A fascinating renewal of this Grade 2 contest with Master Minded bidding to repeat his victory of 12 months ago. He is weighted to confirm Aintree running in April with recent Kempton winner Somersby, despite the revised terms, but he was never really travelling when last of three on his reappearance and won't find it easy to give 4lb to the progressive MEDERMIT. A very smart novice, the grey was sent off favourite at both Cheltenham and Aintree in the spring but disappointed on both occasions. However, he did nothing wrong when making a successful return to action in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter and could still find the necessary improvement to land this. Stagecoach Pearl had Kalahari King back in fifth when making all at Kelso but Ferdy Murphy's charge was very much in need of the run that day and can reverse the form on today's more favourable terms. The Sawyer looks out of his depth, however.
Master Minded (FR) 2-5fav (11-10) Tracked winner on outside, not fluent 10th, lost 2nd 5 out, effort 3 out, kept on until ridden and not quicken between last 2, no impression flat, last of 3, 8l behind Albertas Run (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Medermit (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Held up, headway 5th, led 4 out, pecked when strongly challenged last, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 1f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd beating Cornas (11-3) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Somersby (IRE) 4-6fav (11-10) Jumped well, tracked leader, good jump to close 12th, led 3 out, soon in control, kept up to work after last, eased close home, won at Kempton 2m 4f grad ch (2) gd in Oct beating Aiteen Thirtythree (11-10) by 3l, 3 ran.
Stagecoach Pearl 5-2fav (10-4) Made all, hit 9th, ridden after last, kept on well, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gd beating Sa Suffit (10-4) by 2l, 7 ran.
Kalahari King (FR) 11-2 (11-10) Held up in 4th, pushed along before 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 7, 37l behind Stagecoach Pearl (10-4) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gd.
The Sawyer (BEL) 25-1 (10-7) in a race won by Polar Rochelais (11-4) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 6f chs (1) sft in Apr, 10 ran.
