chased leader, slow 7th, went left and slow 5 out, lost 2nd 2 out, 4th and beaten last
led, 3 lengths clear after 2 out, reduced lead last, headed flat, rallied gamely to lead again close home
held up in last pair, switched right and headway before 2 out, went 2nd last, led flat, headed close home
held up in touch behind leaders, went 3rd 3 out, chased winner 2 out until mistake last, well held in 3rd flat
tracked leaders on outside, mistake 6th (water), outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened
held up in last pair, lost touch from 3 out
This rescheduled event has attracted three additional runners but it's still hard to look beyond the 'big two.' The Arkle Trophy winner, Edwardstone, has been a revelation over fences but now needs to bounce back from an uncharacteristic tumble when last seen at Kempton on the second day of the Christmas meeting. His previous success in the Tingle Creek was an excellent performance and he'd go close on that evidence but ENERGUMENE remains hard to oppose. He's 8-9 over fences, the reigning Champion Chase king and showed all is well with him when cruising home on his Cork reappearance. If all goes in line with the formbook, then the rest are playing for decent place money, with Editeur Du Gite suggested as next best ahead of the progressive Amarillo Sky.
Amarillo Sky (IRE) 11-8fav (11-13) Handy, led going well 4 out, ridden to go clear approaching last, stayed on well flat, won at Newbury 2m hcp (2) gd in Nov beating Only Money (10-6) by 14l, 6 ran.
Editeur Du Gite (FR) 28-1 (11-2) Made all set strong pace and soon clear, went left 3rd, slightly reduced lead before 3 out, came clear again before next, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec beating Nube Negra (11-8) by 13l, 7 ran.
Edwardstone 2-5fav (11-8) Held up in last pair, dropped to rear when blundered and unseated rider 5th, at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Energumene (FR) 1-9fav (12-0) Made all, increased advantage at 1st, not fluent at 6th, clear at 7th, not fluent 2 out, very easily, not extended, won at Cork 2m 1f (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec beating Epson Du Houx (11-4) by 15l, 4 ran.
Funambule Sivola (FR) 22-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders in 5th out wide, plugged on in modest 4th from 8th, well held and no chance when hit 3 out, 4th of 7, 36l behind Editeur Du Gite (11-2) at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Sizing Pottsie (FR) 66-1 (11-8) Chased leaders on inside, hit 7th, hit next and weakened quickly, tailed off, left remote 5th before 3 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Editeur Du Gite (11-2) at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec.
