chased leading pair, pushed along after 9th, outpaced next, soon no chance, took modest 4th towards finish
led until after 4th, chased winner, pressed from before 3 out and every chance, pushed along when not fluent 2 out, soon well held, weakened and no impression when lost 2nd final 100 yards
not fluent, held up last, went right 7th and next, headway to 4th when hit 4 out and ridden, beaten soon after, went badly right 2 out, lost modest 4th towards finish
chased leading trio, went 3rd before 4 out, pushed along and not pace of front pair after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, stayed on from last, took 2nd final 100 yards, no chance with easy winner
jumped well, chased leader, led after 4th, joined before 3 out, asserted soon after 2 out, shaken up and drew away from last, easily
A terrific contest in store with Ghizao attempting to reverse last month's form with Kilmurry and provide Paul Nicholls with his fifth success in nine years. He finished 11 lengths behind Colin Tizzard's new recruit and is 2lbs worse off so looks up against it but he's entitled to come on for both the run and the experience. Captain Chris blew away the cobwebs with a spin over hurdles and is viewed as an exciting prospect for the season ahead whilst Radium defied a lack of race fitness and a couple of minor mistakes to win going away at Ascot. LOOSEN MY LOAD wasn't far off top class as a hurdler and has made the perfect start to his chase career and he's taken to get the better of his former stablemate Kilmurry despite that one's impressive performance over course and distance but there's little to choose between the pair.
Kilmurry (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Jumped well, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 9th, led next, made rest, going strongly and in command after 3 out, easily, won at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (2) gd in Oct beating Ghizao (11-2) by 11l, 6 ran.
Loosen My Load (IRE) 1-4fav (11-5) Raced in 2nd until left in lead from 3rd, joined briefly 5 out, driven along when pressed after 2 out, ridden to assert after last, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m 2f nov chs (1) gd in Oct beating Darceys Dancer (11-1) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
Radium (FR) 2-1fav (11-3) Raced in rear but in touch, slow 7th, tracked leaders next, led approaching and not fluent 2 out, ridden clear, ran on well, won at Ascot 2m 3f beg chs (3) gd in Oct beating Othermix (11-3) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Captain Chris (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on, always held, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Silviniaco Conti (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Oct.
Ghizao (GER) 13-8fav (11-2) Chased leading trio, went right 5th, chased leading pair from 4 out, went 2nd before next, no chance with winner when hit last, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Kilmurry (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (2) gd in Oct.
