made all, shaken up and quickened approaching 3 out, well clear last, eased flat
held up last, hampered 5th and lost touch with leaders, ridden 6th, went poor 3rd 10th, no impression
chased winner and pulled hard, ridden after 4 out, no chance with winner
held up in mid-division, hampered 5th and lost touch with leaders, soon no impression
The 2000 Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Edredon Bleu makes his seasonal reappearance and is taken to make a winning return at the main expense of Martin Pipe's pair Wahiba Sands and Tresor De Mai, who look bigger threats than Exit Swinger. The last mentioned makes his debut for trainer Paul Nicholls having formerly been in the care of the Nicholashayne master and it will be interesting to see if the switch in stables can revive his fortunes. Former stablemate Tresor De Mai has struggled since winning Ascot's Ritz Club Chase in February and more solid claims are held by Wahiba Sands. Although without a win since December 2001, the 10-year-old still retains ability and has to be respected but preference is for the year older Edredon Bleu. Henrietta Knight's gelding may not be as good as he once was but thrives on the fast ground that he will get here, was a dual course and distance winner last term and goes well when fresh. He should be more than capable of giving weight away to his rivals.
