Reporter: Andy Gibson
A tight finish between four horses in a Grade One chase usually means there was no superstar present in the field. Either way, this was a most pulsating end to a fantastic race and was an incredible advert for the excitement and passion involved in National Hunt racing. I believe we can only guess which of the four might come out on top were the race to be run again. As was the case with the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase plus every other race on the card bar the last, the prominent finishers generally raced close to the front from the off.
After tracking the French horse in the early part of the race he took up the running on the turn for home. He jumped three out and two out in a fast and fluent manner before being headed when not getting away from the last fence as quickly as two of his rivals. He looked beaten when headed at that last fence before he bravely fought back to get his head in front right on the line. His trainer stated that he would go straight for the Cheltenham Gold Cup next.
I think it is fair to say that he went down on his sword in an attempt to defend his 2024 King George crown. I believe this was a much better renewal than the one he won and would tentatively suggest he has performed to a higher level here compared with when winning a year ago.
He raced towards the fore and against the inside rail throughout. He took a keen hold in the early stages which is often the case with him. He stuck to the inside off the home bend and possibly held an advantage as a result. He went down by a very narrow margin in a head bob of a finish at the line and lost little in defeat.
Perhaps he was not quite as quick away from his fences in the closing stages as his three main rivals and this may have made the difference between victory and a close up fourth place finish.
After struggling to go with the early pace he then settled down towards the rear. He made good headway before the turn for home and briefly appeared likely to prove to be a threat to all. The promise of his progress soon petered out as he ran out of stamina in the closing stages.
His slow jump five out came at a vital time of the race and did him few favours. Then again, one would be hard pushed to use that as an excuse for this disappointing display. He has now appeared to be vulnerable in the closing stages in his latest three attempts at this trip. He did seem to be going a stride too fast for much of the race which is often the easiest way to get a stayer beaten. I will remain open minded as to whether this trip is a shade too far for him or, equally likely, he simply requires a more galloping track.
