This transferred Gold Cup trial attracted three genuine Blue Riband contenders to a venue that differs markedly from the course on which this race was supposed to be run and on which the Gold Cup will be run. However, it turned into a major anti-climax with One Knight's jumping flaws surfacing once again, Ollie Magern running yet another shocker and Royal Auclair succumbing to the lowest-rated horse in the race. If SEE YOU SOMETIME was ever going to win a big one, this was possibly going to be it, asthe flat, speed-favouring track, combined with the small field, was always going to play to his strengths. Although disappointing prior to this run this season, he has basically been a wonderful servant to his connections and he displayed characteristic gameness to shrug off Royal Auclair after the pair engaged in a long tussle. He has been beaten off higher marks than his current 138 plenty of times in the past, and he has not suddenly improved at the age of 11, so the handicapper is unlikely to punish him too severely. Aintree has suited him in days gone by, so the Betfair Bowl would be a perfect target, but he will do well to net a bigger prize than this one.

Royal Auclair was the only one of the big three to perform with some credit. Mistakes at the tricky fourth last and two out did not help his cause, but he was still below his best here, without being disgraced. He is better than this - as he showed when fourth in the Gold Cup and second in the Grand National - and it would not be a big surprise if he went better than his odds might suggest in either, or both those end of season highlights.

One Knight rarely runs, and when he runs he rarely completes. His smashing Welsh National second confirmed that he retains loads of ability, but he has now exited prematurely in three of his last four starts. If he could put in a clear round of jumping, his attacking style would make this real stayer a threat in the Gold Cup - that, though, is a big ‘if'.

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