made all and jumped well, kept on well from 2 out
with leaders and jumped right, weakened after 4 out
in touch, hit 5th, outpaced after 4 out, stayed on to chase winner after last, no impression
chased leaders, chased winner approaching last until no extra run-in
in touch, headway to take closer order after 4th, soon chasing winner, weakened after 3 out
always behind, struggling approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
King Daniel is preferred to Smart Street and Or De Grugy with Overlut far from ruled out. The selection has shown improved form on each of his three outings over fences, latterly finishing one and a quarter lengths in front of Smart Street when second to Sharp Reply at Musselburgh. Some of his best performances over hurdles came at this track and he can go one better. Smart Street has finished third three times in four chase starts now and is good enough to win a race but there's no obvious reason as to why the Musselburgh form should be reversed. Or De Grugy already has a win over fences to his name but he was disappointing last time and may prefer further. Overlut is held in high regard and has faced some stiff tasks but this is no formality and he, too, has questions to answer. Shouldhavehadthat drops back from 3 miles and will surely find these opponents too speedy and King Daniel appeals most.
King Daniel 14-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, led 3 out, hit and headed last, one pace run-in, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Sharp Reply (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
King Mak 20-1 (11-0) Led to 3rd, chased leader, blundered 5th, kept on same pace from 4 out, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Circassian (11-0) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
Or de Grugy (FR) 11-2 (11-7) Close up until weakened approaching 4 out, 3rd of 8, 24l behind Endless Power (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Nov.
Overlut (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leader, mistake 2nd, mistake and lost 2nd 6th, weakened soon after 4 out, blundered 3 out, tired when fell at the last in race won by Big Buck's (10-8) at Newbury 2m 1f beg chs (3) gs in Dec, 4 ran.
Shouldhavehadthat (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 2nd of 7, well behind Cathedral Rock (11-0) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) gs in Jan.
Smart Street 14-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, every chance 4 out, soon ridden, weakened from last, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Sharp Reply (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
