mid-division on inside, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
held up behind, some headway under pressure 3 out, never able to challenge
in touch, chased leader briefly when blundered and unseated rider 13th
tracked leaders, fell 5th
mid-division, when jumped big and fell 1st
tracked leader, led 6th to next, led again 11th, ridden after 3 out, headed next, kept on same pace
in touch on outside, left 2nd 13th, ridden and lost place after 3 out, soon one pace
soon detatched in rear, pulled up before 8th
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division on inside, headway 12th, went 3rd after 3 out, led next, ridden and edged right under pressure flat, kept on
in touch, outpaced 13th, lost place when fell next
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, went 3rd before last, kept on
mid-division, outpaced 13th, in rear when hampered 4 out
tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd after 3 out, soon ridden and every chance, switch right approaching last, kept on flat
towards rear, not fluent 9th, outpaced 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 12th, weakened from 3 out
tracked leader pair, blundered 8th, hit 10th, 4th and outpaced when hit 3 out, 6th and beaten last
soon led, mistake 2nd, headed 6th, led again next until 11th, lost place 13th, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, blundered 4th and 10th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 4 out
always behind
A strong looking field turn out for what is always a competitive race and from a shortlist of The Hollinwell, Nicanor, Dave's Dream and RIVALISTE it is the last named who gets the vote. Paul Nicholls saddled Chapoturgeon to win this race last year and has a similar type to go to war with in the shape of our selection, who like his stabe companion is only five years old. He arrived from France to take in a pair of decent handicaps prior to Christmas, winning well at Newbury before failing by a nose when bidding for the follow-up at Sandown. He's up another 6lbs for that defeat but needed that to get in here and it's interesting that each of the four winners of this have carried 11st or less. With that statistic in mind, The Hollinwell also makes the shortlist. Ferdy Murphy's charge has long been highly regarded and has gone some way to showing why this season, winning two of his three starts. The horse's sole defeat came to Abbeybraney who runs in the four-miler here on Wednesday, so it'll be interesting to see how he gets on but one thing is for sure, this live danger won't fair for a lack of stamina. The pair mentioned do make the most appeal but it has to be said both have to prove they can act on better going, but it seems perfect racing ground at Cheltenham and there can be little excuse. Last year's Imperial Cup winner Dave's Dream was spoken of after the race as a potential Gold Cup winner of the future so he'll want to be going close off 138. Nicky Henderson has had a good Festival so far and this one still has the potential to come good despite two hefty defeats of late, with conditions more to his liking. Nicanor is another who hasn't quite achieved the same level of form he showed over hurdles. Indeed, Noel Meade's charge beat none other than Denman here in 2006 before following up at Punchestown. Injury then intervened and the horse had three years off the track, so it's taken a lot to get the gelding here. He arrives on the back of a debut victory over fences though - his first of any kind since that day four years ago - and with confidence restored could go very close as he has bags of ability. There must, however, be a doubt as to whether he'll ever recapture his best and for that reason he's narrowly opposed. None of the other four runners carrying under 11st make much appeal, with Gansey already looking in need of a trip and much softer ground, King's Forest having work to do with a couple of the higher rated horses and Working Title looking harshly treated and a little short in terms of ability as to what is required. Perhaps Tanks For That can find enough improvement for this better ground, but in truth the biggest dangers may lie higher up the weights. Hey Big Spender has winning course and distance form and fully deserves his weight, China Rock has been taking on the best Ireland has and is nicely treated on hurdles form, whilst prior to disappointing last time Seven Is My Number had looked smart. Take The Breeze thrashed Dave's Dream at Newbury but has plenty of weight and prefers to slog in the mud, Jered lacks the physical scope to make as good a chaser as he was a hurdler and Copper Bleu hasn't looked a natural since taking to the bigger obstacles. The fifth running of the Jewson can provide Paul Nicholls with back-to-back wins, with Rivaliste getting our vote.
Take The Breeze (FR) 5-4fav (11-6) Made all, challenged 3 out, drew clear from next, ridden out flat (no time taken), won at Fontwell 2m 6f nov stks (2) hvy in Feb beating Penn Da Benn (10-12) by 11l, 4 ran.
Seven Is My Number (IRE) 7-2fav (11-10) Held up in rear, hampered 5th, headway into 5th 13th, jumped right 4 out, ridden and struggling 3 out and soon pulled up, in a race won by The Sawyer (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Hey Big Spender (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, headway to chase leader before 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, stayed on strongly flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-130 (2) sft in Jan beating Edgbriar (11-5) by 10l, 11 ran.
Lenabane (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, 2nd 3 out, ridden from 2 out, no extra in 5th entering straight, left 4th at last, 4th of 8, 12l behind Citizen Vic (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs G1 hvy in Feb.
Jered (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, closer in 3rd entering straight, ridden from 3 out, close enough 4th 2 out, went moderate 3rd from last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Uimhiraceathair (11-5) at Gowran Park 2m 4f nov stks hvy in Jan.
Fiendish Flame (IRE) 5-2fav (11-4) Made all, ridden between last 2, stayed on well, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov stks (3) gs in Feb beating Working Title (11-4) by 5l, 8 ran.
China Rock (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Tracked leader in 2nd, led 5 out, joined from 3 out, headed and ridden next, no extra before straight, 4th of 5, 7l behind Roberto Goldback (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs Grd 2 hvy in Jan.
Nicanor (FR) 4-6fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, 3rd from next, 2nd 3 out, led travelling well 2 out, soon edged clear, driven out when tiring closing stages, won at Navan 2m 4f beg chase hvy in Feb beating Deal Done (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Awesome George 15-8 (11-1) Held up in touch in 4th, jumped left 3rd, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well, driven out, won at Hereford 2m 3f nov stks (3) sft beating Cool Friend (10-5) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Copper Bleu (IRE) 4-5fav (11-0) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd from 5th, challenged 4 out, led 2 out, clear before last, in command when eased up towards finish, won at Exeter 2m 1f beg chase (4) sft in Feb beating South O'The Border (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Door Boy (IRE) 5-2fav (11-8) Held up mid-division, took closer order 8th, driven and outpaced before 4 out, disputed 2nd from next, kept on, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Fiendish Flame (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov stks (3) gs in Feb.
The Midnight Club (IRE) Evensfav (11-9) Made all, jumped well, clear before last, stayed on well, won at Clonmel 2m 4f beg chase sft in Feb beating Kind Oscar (11-0) by 11l, 13 ran.
Dave's Dream (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, hit 2nd, ridden after 4 out, drifted left after 3 out, went 4th 2 out, no impression, 4th of 7, 21l behind Tazbar (11-8) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov stks (3) gs in Feb.
Othermix (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Prominent, led 10th, headed 4 out, ridden to challenge next, soon weakened, 2nd of 5, 18l behind The Nightingale (11-0) at Kempton 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) sft in Feb.
The Hollinwell 5-2 (11-4) Jumped well, led 2nd, ridden out, won at Warwick 2m 4f nov stks (3) sft in Jan beating Roman Conquest (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Working Title (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 5 out, ridden 3 out, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner flat, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Fiendish Flame (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov stks (3) gs in Feb.
Rivaliste (FR) 2-1fav (11-11) Always prominent, led 11th, hard ridden after last, staying on same pace when headed post, 2nd of 8, ns behind Doctor Pat (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Gansey (IRE) 9-4 (11-8) Made all and jumped well, clear approaching 4th, unchallenged, won at Ayr 2m 4f nov stks (3) gs in Feb beating Eyre Square (10-12) by 15l, 6 ran.
Tanks For That (IRE) 11-8 (11-4) Led, mistake last, ridden and headed flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind You're The Top (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nov stks (3) sft in Feb.
King's Forest (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Held up in rear, mistake 7th, headway next, challenged bypassing omitted 3 out, led 2 out, clear last, ran on well, won at Taunton 2m 3f beg chase (4) gs in Feb beating Quartz De Thaix (11-0) by 13l, 6 ran.
