always last, outpaced 6th, soon tailed off
blundered 1st, led, steadied 7th, lost 2nd 4 out, 3rd and beaten when not fluent next
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4 out, led 3 out, in command when hit next, soon pushed clear
tracked leader, led 7th to 3 out, no chance with winner from next, clear of rest
A poor turnout for this feature event but it does have a touch of class with Twist Magic given the verdict ahead of Echo Point, with Mister Quasimodo expected to take third prize. Always held in high regard, Twist Magic ended last season with a gallant victory over some top two mile chasers at Aintree. It is hard to believe he is only five years of age and so he should be even better this season. He can take this as his first stride towards a crack at the Queen Mother Champion Chase in March. Echo Point looks to be the main threat to the selection having beaten a decent field of novices at Perth during the spring. He was put in his place by Pay Attention on his next run and certainly needs to improve to beat the Nicholls horse. Mister Quasimodo is a fair enough performer in handicaps, but a rating pf 133 suggests he should have plenty to find with the two market leaders. Alfarid should be here fourth fourth prize money and so we return to Twist Magic, who with a clear round, should collect this prize before moving onto greater things.
Alrafid (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Held up in 4th, progress 9th, went 2nd after 3 out, no chance with winner, jumped left last, 2nd of 5, 14l behind Bishop's Bridge (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf.
Echo Point (IRE) 1-2fav (11-12) Led and hit 1st, headed 8th, ridden and one pace 3 out, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Pay Attention (11-5) at Perth 2m chs (4) gd in May.
Twist Magic (FR) 9-4fav (11-1) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, led 3 out, ridden approaching last, ran on well flat, won at Aintree 2m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr beating Fair Along (11-1) by 5l, 6 ran.
Mister Quasimodo 25-1 (11-12) Chasing leaders when hit 3rd and fell next fell 5 out in race won by Fleet Street (11-6) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar, 12 ran.
