soon led, headed 5th, pressed leader, led again 10th, clear when not fluent last, ridden out flat
disputed lead until fell 1st
pressed leader, led 5th to 10th, driven and 3 lengths down in 2nd when blundered 2 out, kept on, no impression
left tracking leading pair from 1st, in touch when fell 8th
held up last, left 3rd at 8th, soon outpaced by leading pair, kept on same pace from 3 out, never on terms
It may just be worth taking a chance with KING EDMUND to lower the colours of Tchico Polos with Cockney Trucker and Joe Jo Star also of interest. Show Winner hasn't really lived up to expectations over hurdles this season and looks up against it in this company whilst Joe Jo Star caught the eye behind Long Run at Warwick but faces another stiff task here. Cockney Trucker was a shade keen on his second run over fences but kept on well enough to give Edgbriar something to think about at Doncaster last time and can only improve but he does face a stiff task here. Tchico Polos sets the standard and has course and distance form to his name and will relish being dropped back to the minimum after a couple of fruitless runs over further. He's the one that they all have to beat but King Edmund will provide him with some competition for the lead and should appreciate being asked to go right-handed as he jumped to his right at Warwick last time. He faded close home that day to finish behind Joe Jo Star but he tried to match strides with Long Run on that occasion and paid the price; Tchico Polos is useful but he's no Long Run and King Edmund is the value call.
Tchico Polos (FR) 3-1 (11-4) Led, clear advantage 7th, pushed along and pressed 3 out, ridden and headed soon after 2 out, not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Punchestowns (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) gs in Feb.
King Edmund 15-2 (11-4) Jumped right, led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no impression when mistake last, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Long Run (11-5) at Warwick 2m nov chs G2 (1) gs in Feb.
Cockney Trucker (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, jumped right 3 out, soon under pressure, disputed lead last, headed flat, soon hard ridden, kept on, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Edgbriar (10-11) at Doncaster 2m 3f beg chs (4) gd in Dec.
Joe Jo Star 25-1 (11-0) Held up, in rear, progress to go 3rd approaching 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 12l behind Long Run (11-5) at Warwick 2m nov chs G2 (1) gs in Feb.
Show Winner 11-4fav (11-6) Prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 10th of 12, 34l behind Balzaccio (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
