Expert Analysis

A very difficult race to assess with Mambonumberfive’s jumping not standing up to this tricky test leaving Steel Ally to draw clear of his only other rival.

STEEL ALLY His jumping was very good on the whole even if it was not as breathtaking as it had been at Ascot last time out. The fast early pace round a sharp track like Warwick was probably responsible for this. Mirabad enjoyed an easy lead throughout which can make him a more dangerous opponent. Consequently, I would not be in a hurry to mark down the quality of this victory simply because his main market rival failed to jump well enough.

Steel Ally will be better over further than two miles which is something plenty of previous Arkle winners have in common. Furthermore, we can certainly say the same about two of the current market leaders for that race, Lulamba and Romeo Coolio.

MIRABAD I would suggest that this easy lead round a sharp track was close to perfect conditions for Mirabad. Consequently, I would tend to mark the quality of this form up as a result. He jumped well out in front and only gave best to a very good winner in between the final two fences.

MAMBONUMBERFIVE After jumping low at one or two of his fences at Kempton last time out he repeated that tendency here over several of the obstacles. In particular, his lack of fluency over the five fences in a row before the entry to the home straight really put paid to his claims. He will certainly need to jump better than this if taking his place in the Arkle.