led to after 11th, lost touch 14th, pulled up before 16th
held up last, reminders after 14th, ridden 15th, behind 4 out, rallied and stayed on one pace from 2 out
prominent, chased leader 3rd, led after 11th, quickened approaching 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on flat
chased leaders to 3rd, raced prominent after, chased winner 15th, ridden 4 out, kept on same pace
From the shortlist of Edredon Bleu, Colonel Frank and Royal Auclair, the vote goes to Colonel Frank. This race gives us another chance to assess the rapidly-improving Colonel Frank. Brendan Powell's chaser has left a big impression in running up three straight wins this season, including when accounting for Calling Brave, Lord Sam, Murphy's Cardinal and D'Argent at Sandown last time. A very likeable type, we take him to score again. It almost cuts against the grain to oppose Edredon Bleu. Henrietta Knight's evergreen 13-year-old had an amazing season last year, winning all five of his races including the King George VI Chase. Because of his current rating, connections have found it difficult to find suitable opportunities for him and the trip is something of an unknown today, despite his King George success. Royal Auclair is having a very good season, having been placed in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, the Hennessy and, last time, the Pillar Property Chase. Afford him plenty of respect. The other pair, Heroes Collonges, who looked decent in 2002 before getting injured, and the progressive Bathwick Annie, need to find improvement to win today. Mind you, so does Colonel Frank, but this John Smith's Grand National entry might just be able to find it and, as such, gets the call.
Edredon Bleu (FR) 7-1 Led to 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 17, 9l behind Bagan at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (D) gd in Jan.
Royal Auclair (FR) 7-2 Held up in 5th, closed from 11th, chased winner 14th to before 2 out, weakened before last, finished tired, 3rd of 7, 28l behind Grey Abbey at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Jan.
Heros Collonges (FR) 8-1 Led to 8th, soon ridden, weakened after next, last of 5, 29l behind No Refuge at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) sft in Jan.
Bathwick Annie 7-2 Chased leader, led after 2nd, pushed along approaching 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (C) sft in Jan beating Zaffamore by 8l, 7 ran.
Colonel Frank 9-4fav Jumped well, joined 3 out, in command last, stayed on well flat, won at Sandown 3m chs (B) gs in Dec beating Calling Brave by 2l, 5 ran.
