An impossible race to assess form-wise with EBONY LIGHT, who was 22lb out of the handicap, running out a clearcut winner. He has always relished testing ground, but on all previous form he had a mountain to climb. On the day, though, he jumped well, raced up with the pace and kept on galloping, but he's basically an exposed sort and the only conclusion that can be drawn is that he ran to form whereas none of the others did.

That applies to Kingscliff, who has developed into a moody character as he ran in snatches throughout. From as early as the sixth fence, he seemed to be struggling and he then made a mistake at the next and seemed unco-operative. Already tailed off in last when he uprooted the 11th, he looked more likely to pull up than make the frame. His rider kept persevering and as the others began to drop off the pace, he rallied and ran on to take second, well behind the winner, but clear of the rest. He appears to be crying out for blinkers, a visor or at least cheekpieces. Although this was a most unsatisfactory Gold Cup Trial, he still left the impression that if in the mood, he is capable of going well against the top chasers and shouldn't be written off just yet.

Truckers Tavern isn't the most reliable. He made a mistake at the ninth, and another three out when already tired and beaten. This was perhaps too stiff a test of stamina for Kandjar d'Allier, who was already being pushed along when he hit four out and dropped right away after that. [CR]

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