keen, hit 2nd, soon led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, just 2nd but well beaten when fell last
tracked leader 5th, close 2nd and travelling well when mistake and unseated rider 4 out
held up in touch, went 3rd 10th, not fluent 12th, left close 2nd 4 out, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, easily
led until after 2nd, dropped rear 10th, struggling and jumped left from 15th, left poor 2nd at last
This should be a major pointer to the Royal & SunAlliance Chase as two of the big guns, Keen Leader and Jair du Cochet meet head on. No disrespect to the other three, but this is in reality a match that will be settled by who jumps the best. The French raider has been a revelation since going fencing, destroying the opposition in the Feltham at Kempton and earning accolades from every quarter. He never got the chance to prove himself in the juvenile hurdle department due to the feet and mouth crisis but is regarded as one of the bankers at the Cheltenham Festival. That could all change here though if Keen Leader continues to improve. A faller two out when holding every chance in last year's Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle, Jonjo O'Neill's charge has been foot-perfect in his last two outings, not extended on either occasion, at Haydock and Wetherby. Rated good enough to be given an entry in the Gold Cup, he will expose any flaws in Jair du Cochet's jumping, and in all honesty we cannot split the pair. If anything, the softish conditions might tilt things the way of Keen Leader, but it will be very, very close and we can look forward to yet another exciting clash when they meet at Cheltenham.
