raced in 3rd until chased winner 3rd, hit 9th, ridden after 3 out, rallied as winner tired, run-in but never a real threat
raced in 4th, ridden and blundered 4 out, driven and no response before next
made all and set good pace, driven and stayed on gamely from 2 out, hard driven and tired run-in, all out
always last, slow jump 1st, lost touch from 6th, tailed off
not fluent, chased winner to 3rd, stayed chasing leading pair, blundered 9th, beaten when not fluent 2 out, mistake last
As usual a very good novices' chase here with little to choose between Mahogany Blaze, Moon Over Miami and Marodima, and the vote goes to Marodima. Nigel Twiston-Davies's Mahogany Blaze runner loves cut in the ground and will relish this test of speed and stamina. He jumps well and although penalised for an easy win, so are his rivals, so that should not make much difference. Moon Over Miami was an easy ground scorer at Cheltenham last month when he jumped particularly well and in truth there is not much between he and the selection on what they have achieved, though he may not be open to quite as much improvement. However, Marodima has Paul Nicholls purring, he loves cut and last time out he thrashed Pur De Sivola, who himself dotted up at Wincanton in a decent contest on Thursday. With that in mind he looks certain to improve and can make the most of his weight-for-age allowance and Marodima can take the prize money.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 9-4 (11-4) Mistake 2nd, left tracking leader at 3rd, blundered 8th, closed to lead 3 out, in command next, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 2m beg chs (3) gd in Oct beating Muhtenbar (11-4) by 9l, 8 ran.
Moon Over Miami (GER) 10-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway approaching 7th, went 2nd 3 out, led after 2 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov beating Predateur (10-11) by 8l, 8 ran.
Marodima (FR) 6-4fav (10-10) Led, clear approaching 2 out, eased after last, unchallenged, won at Warwick 2m 4yo nov chs (3) gs in Nov beating Pur De Sivola (10-10) by 13l, 5 ran.
Predicament 100-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, jumped slowly 11th, moderate progress from 2 out, 4th of 6, 27l behind Imperial Commander (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (2) gd in Nov.
Pancake (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Led until after 1st, lost place after 2nd, behind from 5th, last of 24, well behind Gaspara (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
