Expert Analysis

The late defection of Ga Law allowed his stable mate Colonel Harry to compete off 11st 8lbs rather than top weight. Perhaps more significantly the favourite Jagwar was also saved from the burden of carrying 12st. Ultimately it made little difference with the shock winner Glengouly making all the running from 7lbs out of the handicap before holding on from the two main market rivals Vincenzo and Jagwar. The front three drew well clear of the rest and all could play a significant role in one or more of the remaining intermediate handicap chases at this course between now and April. The times suggest the ground was quicker than the official description of good to soft.

GLENGOULY Sean Bowen took full advantage of being gifted an untroubled lead by stacking his rivals up at the top of the hill before kicking for home off the final bend on the approach to the second last fence. Glengouly was about three lengths quicker compared with David’s Well from two out to the last and then around six lengths quicker from the final fence to the winning line. These comparisons highlight the relatively easy lead he enjoyed plus the degree of difficulty his rivals faced in making up ground in the closing stages.

VINCENZO Another superb effort from this top class and most reliable handicap chaser. Given the easy lead presented to the winner from the early stages of the race Vincenzo has arguably done well to run him so close in the closing stages. Hopefully he will gain compensation in one of the remaining intermediate handicap chases in January, March or April. Once you have a horse so clearly suited to these conditions why go anywhere else?

JAGWAR The way this race unfolded resulted in him having more ground to make up than was helpful. He still looks like a work in progress in the jumping department as he lacked fluency both here and last time out when winning at the Cheltenham Festival. He is clearly well handicapped, even off 148, for the day that he puts in a clean round of jumping.

KIM ROQUE This was a significant rise in class from his previous run here in November. Although he was eventually beaten a long way by the front three horses, he still acquitted himself well and will hopefully improve for the experience.

HOE JOLY SMOKE This was a different type of race compared with the Paddy Power. On that day several of the prominent runners tired on the softer ground in the closing stages leaving him to run past two or three beaten horses to finish a slightly flattering third. In this contest the three leaders all finished very strongly on this quicker surface which resulted in him being unable to close the gap.

IMPERIAL SAINT This was a decent effort on ground that was probably quicker than ideal. He was slightly squeezed out jumping the second last fence and although this probably made no difference to his finishing position, at the same time, he may have finished a tad closer to the fifth horse home.

IL RIDOTO Last time out in the Paddy Power I thought his connections had a valid excuse for him dropping away on account of the soft ground. Maybe he also got the worst of the ground close to the inside rail on that day. This was very different, however, as he appeared to have his ideal conditions and also enjoyed a very positive trip round tracking the leader on his outside. He dropped away very quickly from the third last fence which was a worrying sign for a horse with so much in his favour.

COLONEL HARRY I doubt very much this ground would have played to his strengths. Although he finished well beaten in eighth, I would be happy to mark him up again when he is able to compete on a soft surface.

MARTATOR He is unproven at this level over an intermediate trip and might do better when returned to two miles round Ascot or Newbury.

ES PERFECTO He may still be a little high in the handicap after his wide margin success at Sandown in February. I doubt this variable made any difference here as his jumping was not fluent enough for him to stay in touch.