made all, shaken up approaching 4 out, jumped right, ran on well, ridden out
chased leaders, stumbled 8th, ridden, hampered 4 out, weakened 2 out
blundered and unseated rider 1st
prominent, going well and every chance approaching 4 out, ridden approaching next, kept on same pace
chased leaders, went prominent 7th, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on well flat
held up in touch, ridden approaching 4 out, no impression
behind from 5th, tailed off
In a mouth watering clash, Arkle hero Azertyuiop is taken to beat Seebald and last year's winner of this contest Edredon Bleu. Although Paul Nicholls would like more rain for Azertyuiop, if he does run, this exciting six-year-old will take some beating judged on last season's efforts. Unbeaten in all four starts over fences, he will have the assistance of Mick Fitzgerald, with Ruby Walsh out of action. His next target is the Tingle Creek, and the plan is to go for the Queen Mother, a race his owner desperately wants to win. So, expectations are high and defeat here will not be an option. Old stager Edredon Bleu has to give the selection four pounds but limbered up with a comeback win at Wincanton recently to blow the cobwebs away. He has been beaten in this race before but came good 12 months ago when trouncing Seebald, and meets that rival on even better terms. The 2002 Arkle runner-up fell two out when holding every chance in the Queen Mother and gained ample compensation when scoring at Sandown in April. He is no slouch and looks set for some real battles with Azertyuiop as he too is earmarked for the Tingle Creek. The selection's stablemate Kadaraan must not be overlooked entirely as he was good enough to land the Game Spirit Chase but he is just short of top class. Wahiba Sands is a light of former days and should finish well behind his team-mate Seebald who in turn will see the backside of Azertyuiop, who can cement his claims as the best two mile chaser this season.
