always behind, soon tailed off
led to 4th, chased leader, blundered and lost place 6th, weakened 8th
held up, went 3rd 7th, chased winner and hit 4 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
in touch, switched right after 2nd, 4th when fell 3rd
keen, chased leaders, hit 2nd, went 2nd after 6th, led 12th, drew clear after 2 out, easily
chased leader, led 4th to 12th, mistake 4 out, soon weakened
Moscow Flyer will be all the rage here and quite rightly so, with Le Roi Miguel and Mister McGoldrick taken to follow him home. Moscow Flyer bids to join Viking Flagship, Direct Route and Native Upmanship who have all gained back-to-back successes in this contest in the past 10 years, and on recent form, that looks a formality. Jessica Harrington's stable-star made up for his earlier Queen Mother fall when landing this event by six lengths last year, since when he has remained unbeaten in five subsequent starts. His latest demolition job at Cheltenham only serves to underline his position as the best non-staying chaser in Britain and Ireland for many a long year, and he looks all set to make it an incredible career record of 19 wins from 19 completed starts. It is hard to find a chink in his armour and so the big question is what is going to come second. Paul Nicholls could not topple Moscow Flyer with Azertyuiop so what chance has Le Roi Miguel got. Successful in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon in November, this track will at least suit him, and it can be pointed out that the stable won this race four years ago with Fadalko. Martin Pipe relies on Therealbandit rather than Well Chief, but the trip will surely find him out, while Castleford Chase winner Mister McGoldrick has plenty to find. All in all, this should be a one-horse race, with Moscow Flyer unopposable.
Davoski 100-1 Always behind, 20th of 24, well behind Fota Island at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Kadarann (IRE) 100-1 Led to 4th, chased leader until 7th, ridden when not fluent 8th, soon struggling, 5th of 8, 29l behind Moscow Flyer at Cheltenham 2m chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Le Roi Miguel (FR) 10-1 In touch, slightly hampered 4 out, ridden after next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 12, 12l behind Thisthatandtother at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs Grd 2 (A) gd in Mar.
Mister McGoldrick 7-1 Tracked leader until 4th, led 6th, headed and not fluent 4 out, weakened next, mistake last, 4th of 6, 35l behind Azertyuiop at Newbury 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb.
Moscow Flyer (IRE) 6-4fav Always prominent, went 2nd 7th, led 3 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar beating Well Chief by 2l, 8 ran.
Therealbandit (IRE) 16-1 Mid-division, mistake 13th, headway approaching 17th, weakened 3 out, 9th of 15, 49l behind Kicking King at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
