Expert Analysis

A race rearranged after Ascot was frozen off the week before, and the better for it, with the winner one of three to be added as a consequence. It was a thrilling contest, though there are reasons to think that neither second nor third were quite at their best on the day, for all that the winner must be high-class. The pace was good to begin with, steadied just a bit mid-race compared to pars before taking off again after 3 out, the run-in fairly slow as a consequence as those exertions took their toll. The ground throughout the card was “good to soft” rather than “soft” judged on times.

EDITEUR DU GITE (c168 here, 168? previously) had won a peculiar race at Kempton, where the splits and overall time were unimpressive, but delivered more convincingly here against even better opposition, making all and jumping well, steadying a good pace slightly mid-race before kicking on after 3 out, joined and then passed marginally on the run-in but rallying magnificently in what became quite a slow finish. He is clearly high-class after all, though both second and third probably still have somewhat better form than him at their best, and their jockeys will be granting Editeur du Gite maximum respect if the 3 meet again at Cheltenham.

EDWARDSTONE (c168 here, 172 previously) went down battling and can still be rated a bit better than this bare result, set a bit to do but improving 2 out and going about a neck up on the run-in, only to be denied by the game and rallying winner as his exertions took their toll. He had led at least 2 out for his wins and those tactics might have worked better than trying to do it all in one go in a race which went down to fine margins.

ENERGUMENE (c158 here, 175 previously) was not at his best for once, worth forgiving this as he went for a long way as if in good heart, taking one or 2 liberties with his fences and tracking the pace under restraint when he might have been better allowed to stride on, struggling to quicken after 2 out but closing slowly and alongside Edwardstone (who was making the better headway at that stage) when getting the last wrong, likely to have been a close third otherwise. His best form, including his win in the race last year, still makes him the one above all others to beat in the Champion Chase here in March, but there is plenty of competition for him in this division once more and he won’t get away with another off day like this.

AMARILLO SKY (c154 here and previously) came into this in fine form in handicaps and probably ran as well as previously despite reportedly finishing lame, in second most of the way but outpaced going to 2 out and merely keeping on.

FUNAMBULE SIVOLA (c136 here, 162? previously) still has not re-found his form, though this was a bit better than at Kempton as he showed up until after 3 out.

SIZING POTTSIE (c107 here, ? previously)