The course has done well to save this race after recent abandonments. Kalahari King ran at Cheltenham yesterday so it remains to be seen if he lines up here but both Twist Magic and Tartak passed up similar engagements to come here. The former is a classy two-miler but there have to be doubts about him over this trip, while the latter disappointed at Aintree when appearing to have plenty in his favour. Herecomesthetruth looked beaten when unseating his rider behind Deep Purple in this last year and former winner Racing Demon was pulled up so Evan Williams' chaser should have their measure again. But he has to give weight to the promising RIVERSIDE THEATRE, who won with plenty in hand on his reappearance at Kempton and has a few more options now he's proved he stays longer trips.
Deep Purple 15-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, lost place after 13th, hung left from 4 out, stayed on fom 2 out, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Nacarat (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Herecomesthetruth (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Narrow lead, just headed when ran out and unseated rider 8th, in a race won by Tchico Polos (10-4) at Exeter 2m 1f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Twist Magic (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, blundered 4 out, rallied to chase winner last, stayed on well, just held, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Tchico Polos (10-4) at Exeter 2m 1f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Master Medic (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Held up mid-division, mistake 7th, under pressure 11th, soon behind, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m Grade 1 chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec '09, 13 ran.
Riverside Theatre 6-4fav (11-9) Tracked leading pair, headway 4 out, led before next, drew readily clear from next, very easily, won at Kempton 2m 4f grad ch (2) gd in Nov beating Free World (11-6) by 9l, 6 ran.
Archie Boy (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Led, reduced lead before 5 out, strongly pressed straight, narrowly headed before last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 4, 4l behind Captain Cee Bee (11-12) at Naas 2m chs Grade 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Kalahari King (FR) 5-2 (11-10) Tracked leading pair, hit 5th, outpaced 2 out, soon lost place, left 5 lengths down in 3rd last, ridden and kept on same pace flat, no impression, 3rd of 5, 12l behind Noble Alan (10-4) at Kelso 2m 1f Ltd hcp chs (2) gd in Nov.
Ollie Magern 11-1 (11-4) Led, headed approaching 4 out, lost 2nd last, weakened flat, 4th of 8, 12l behind Nacarat (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Breedsbreeze (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 15th, ridden and no chance with winner after 2 out, 8 lenghts down when fell last, in a race won by Carruthers (11-0) at Ascot 3m nov chs G2 (1) hvy in Feb '09, 4 ran.
Tartak (FR) 15-8fav (10-9) Tracked leaders in 5th, hit 5th and 9th, left 4th 4 out, went 3rd soon after, outpaced next, no chance with leading pair from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 29l behind Monet's Garden (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Oct.
I'm So Lucky 9-1 (11-2) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4 out, led 3 out, in command soon after next, kept on strongly, won at Sandown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr beating Oiseau de Nuit (11-2) by 6l, 8 ran.
Racing Demon (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Jumped right and big at some flights, led until narrowly headed 7th, stayed pressing winner until after 3 out, weakened between last 2, 5th of 12, 19l behind Barafundle (11-2) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
