led until headed 4 out, weakened quickly next, tailed off
jumped well, soon pressed leader, led 4 out, quickened tempo from next, in command before last, readily
chased leading pair until lost touch 10th
held up 4th, tracked leading pair 10, closed steadily approaching next, joined winner 3 out, every chance 2 out, ridden and held before last
Disappointingly just the four runners line up for this beginners' chase and while both Phardessa and Olmeto Collonges have claims it is hard to get away from SOVEREIGN KING. Alan King's gelding showed fair form over hurdles last term and was running a reasonable race on his chasing debut on his reappearance before unseating Wayne Hutchinson in a similar contest at Ludlow last month. Granted a clear round today, Sovereign King looks the one to beat. Olmeto Collonges has ability but has made errors in both previous starts over fences so Henrietta Knight's gelding looks best watched and a bigger threat is likely to come from the Richard Phillips-trained Phardessa, who showed better form over hurdles and whose stable is beginning to hit some form. Wasntme was well beaten at Exeter last time and will need to improve significantly on all known form to trouble Sovereign King.
Olmeto Collonges (FR) 66-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 14th of 22, 29l behind Andytown (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Nov.
Sovereign King 7-2 (11-1) In touch when blundered and unseated rider at the 6th in race won by Kia Kaha (11-1) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov, 8 ran.
Wasntme (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Lost touch after 11th, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Lodge Lane (10-12) at Exeter 3m nov chs (3) sft in Nov.
Phardessa 16-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, steady headway from 7th, one pace from 3 out, 4th of 12, 12l behind Spear Thistle (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
