Reporter: Andy Gibson
Much of the sparkle attached to this Grade 2 contest was taken away with the very sad demise of Kalif Du Berlais at the eighth fence from home. This left the unproven stayer Master Chewy in front of Edwardstone plus Boombawn who holds the profile of a horse being prepared for a spring campaign for the second year in a row. As wonderful as it was to see the 12-year-old Edwardstone come home in front, I doubt very much this form will stand up to very much. Apparently, the winner heads for the Melling Chase at Aintree next and he will need to show a lot of improvement to be competitive there.
His victory certainly gave the crowd a thrill which was sorely needed after the fatal fall of the odds-on favourite earlier on. He looked beaten turning for home before he rallied past the dubious stayer Master Chewy after the third last fence. I strongly suspect his winning margin had something to do with the runner up only just about lasting home. The form of this Grade 2 contest is easy to pick holes in, and it will be a big surprise were it to prove good enough to see Edwardstone go close in his grade one spring festival target race.
He matched the time of Lookaway from five out to the winning post having run to a very similar time from the first fence to that point of the race. Lookaway was carrying more weight than Master Chewy and was rated 20lbs inferior. I think this adds some substance to the notion that Master Chewy struggled to see out this trip and, therefore, did not present as the most difficult of targets at this level.
As with last season, I am hoping to see Boombawn show improved form in the spring time. Once the favourite was out of the race it became a very different contest for the three that remained. Suddenly all three had a chance of earning connections the 47k first prize. Consequently, Boombawn finished closer than he otherwise may have done, and, as a consequence was raised a pound for his proximity to the front two horses. If he follows the same pattern as in the spring of 2025 he will be ridden to pick up the pieces and finish in the best possible position in a couple of late season high class graded races.
