| Course: CHELTENHAM | Race date:01/01/06 | Race time:2:10 | Runners:7 |
| Race distance:2m5f | Going:Good To Soft | Winners time:5m 22.40s |
| Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Stall | Weight | Age | RPR | OR | Odds | B High | B Ave | B Low | In run | Finished | Dist Behind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Listener | Andrew Thornton | R H Alner | 11-11 | 7 | 148 | 0 | 8/11F | NA | NA | NA | NA | 1 | ||
| Napolitain | Christian Williams | P F Nicholls | 10-8 | 5 | 129 | 138 | 20/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 2 | ¾ | |
| Star De Mohaison | Mick Fitzgerald | P F Nicholls | 10-12 | 5 | 132 | 0 | 4/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 3 | 1¼ | |
| Billyvoddan | Richard Johnson | H D Daly | 11-8 | 7 | 141 | 0 | 8/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 4 | 1 | |
| Leading Man | Keith Mercer | Ferdy Murphy | 11-11 | 6 | 132 | 132 | 25/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 5 | 11 | |
| King Killone | David O´Meara | H P Hogarth | 11-8 | 6 | 111 | 125 | 25/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 6 | 18 | |
| Knowhere | Carl Llewellyn | N A Twiston-Davies | 11-4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | PU |
THE LISTENER won without really enhancing his tall reputation, even if he did display a grand attitude under pressure. Always prominent, he looked in danger when dropping a length and a half behind the pace-setting Billyvoddan on the run to two out, and, although he soon fought his way to the front, he was never able to go clear and was actually being reeled in close home. Having dazzled in mudbaths for his two previous chase wins - which both came relatively recently, possibly a factor - he was less suited by this tacky ground and failed to travel with quite his usual elan.
In conceding weight to smart but not top-class rivals, he achieved plenty, but probably not as much as he had at Windsor last month, and certainly not as much as he will need to achieve if he is to win the Royal & SunAlliance Chase, which will probably be staged on similar going to that he encountered here. This contest, not run at a great pace, would not have been as severe a stamina test as The Listener would have liked, and he will be better over 3m, but at about 8-1 he doesn't yet scream out as a Festival ante-post bet.
Napolitain came here as his trainer's second string and without the sexy profile of some of his yard's horses. As it turned out, he ran a fine race, the best of his life, and he was coming hard at The Listener up the final hill. Even so, he has limitations and might not be the easiest to place.
Billyvoddan took on the role of hare, and at one point looked like succeeding. His effort probably deserved more than fourth, and he should still win decent races.
The latter comment also applies to Leading Man, who needs more than 2m5f, and showed that here by losing his place down the back but then gaining at the business end. A return to 3m will be to his benefit and should bring about a considerably better display.
King Killone was outclassed, while Knowhere ran a strange race. Pitched into a Grade 2 for his chasing debut, last season's Persian War Hurdle winner was always in the rear, did not jump especially well, and at no point threatened. Even so, he will be better in every way for this run, and should not be dismissed. [LM]
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