tracked leaders, hit 9th, smooth headway to track leader approaching 4 out, every chance next, ridden and led 2 out, quickened under pressure flat
keen and mid-division, close up and blundered 4 out, ridden next, in 3rd and held when fell 2 out
led, ridden after 4 out, joined next, headed 2 out, driven and not quicken flat
tracked leader, close up and still going well when fell 5 out
always behind, lost touch 10th
towards rear, lost place 8th, left poor 3rd 2 out
A fascinating Novices' Chase and it is hard to split three; in the end the pin comes down on KALAHARI KING but only on the condition that the ground stays quick. Ferdy Murphy's gelding bumped into a good one last time out at Haydock in the form of Doctor David where he had a tough task conceding 4lb to the gelding on ground too soft. The step up in trip today shouldn't be a problem and whilst Arkle aspirations may be aiming a bit high, the gelding is fancied to win this. Astarador is a fellow course winner and Howard Johnson's gelding is expected to appreciate the step up in trip as he seemed to find things happening a bit too quickly last time behind Araldur and Free World at Sandown. Hernando's Boy is a course and distance winner but he has a bit of work on to turn the tables on Palomar who beat him last time and re-opposes today. The step up in trip may be in his favour however, whereas Palomar has a little to prove on that front and he is a solitary pound worse off at the weights today. An intriguing clash, where Kalahari King can reign supreme.
Kalahari King (FR) 10-11fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, blundered 7th, chased winner 4 out, 10 lengths down in 2nd when jumped badly left and blundered last, 2nd of 5, 17l behind Doctor David (11-4) at Haydock 2m nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
Palomar (USA) 9-4fav (11-4) Held up, prominent 7th, challenging when left in lead 2 out, very easily, won at Catterick 2m nov chs (3) gs in Dec beating Double Vodka (10-7) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Astarador (FR) 12-1 (11-8) Led until approaching 3rd, tracked leading pair, not fluent 7th, blundered 9th, struggled 4 out, hit 3 out and next, stayed on to take poor 3rd near finish, 3rd of 5, 36l behind Araldur (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Hernando's Boy 6-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, led 5th, headed 3 out, one pace when hampered next, 3rd of 10, 19l behind Palomar (11-4) at Catterick 2m nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Uptown Lad (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) In touch, blundered 6th, soon lost place, 7th of 13, 38l behind Brooklyn Brownie (10-11) at Hexham 2m beg chs (4) gd in May '06.
Waterski 18-1 (9-12) Led to 4th, reminders after 6th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, well behind Political Paddy (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
