always behind, weakened 7th, tailed off
held up, not fluent 3rd, chased leader 8th, not fluent 4 out, challenged approaching 3 out, soon led, clear 2 out, easily
led to 4th, led approaching 7th, ridden, headed approaching 3 out, jumped left, no chance after
chased leader, led 4th to approaching 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
Alan King took this race with Pur De Sivola last year and TAROTINO is a reasonable option to provide him with back to back winners. Lightning Strike is the danger with Scaramouche booked for third. Tarotino proved to be a fair sort over hurdles for Nicky Henderson and promises to make up into a decent chaser for his new connections. He came up for sale as his previous owners, the Million In Mind Partnership, dissolve their partnerships at the end of each season so there is nothing untoward to be read into his change of yards. The horse that beat him at Huntingdon has upheld the form and Alan King has a nice prospect on his hands here. Lightning Strike was racing from a mark of 140 over hurdles at the end of last season and should win plenty of races over fences. He has to be respected but it makes sense to side with the runner who has already jumped fences in public. The other two runners appear to be out of their depth with Scaramouche comfortably the best of the pair but neither should be able to get within hailing distance of Tarotino.
Keyneema 7-1 (10-2) Always in rear, tailed off from 9th, 8th of 13, well behind Huguenot (11-12) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Lightning Strike (GER) 10-1 (11-8) Led to 3rd, chased leader, weakened 3 out, 7th of 8, well behind Elusive Dream (11-8) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Apr.
