held up behind, steady headway into mid-division 10th, tracked leaders 4 out, effort to lead narrowly between last 2, headed approaching last, ridden and kept on same pace flat
held up behind, not fluent 8th, pushed along 4 out, headway after 2 out, effort and stayed on to challenge on inside when not fluent last, ridden and ran on well to lead final 50 yards
with leader to 4th, in touch, outpaced when hit 4 out, lost place next, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, lost place 9th, behind from 4 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, close up 10th, ridden to chase leaders after 2 out, one pace last, weakened flat
with leader, led 6th, hard pressed 3 out, soon ridden, headed between last 2, one pace before last
led narrowly to 6th, tracked leader, effort to challenge after 2 out, led last, soon ridden, kept on, headed and no extra final 50 yards
held up in touch, slightly hampered 4 out, headway next, ridden to chase leaders after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression flat
in touch on inside, not fluent and reminder 9th, lost place next, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 4 out, challenged next, ridden to lead briefly between last 2, one pace and no impression before last
Withdrawn
This is a disappointing renewal and the betting will indicate that there isn't a stand-out performer this year. Module was third in the Champion Chase having earlier won the Game Spirit at Newbury but is probably just short of top class over this longer trip. Nicky Henderson has won the last two renewals so Rajdhani Express, an improved third in the Ryanair at Cheltenham, has to be respected as there seems no obvious reason why either Boston Bob or Rathlin should reverse that form. Easy Cheltenham winner Ballynagour seems best after a break so how he'll cope with a second tough race in three weeks in anybody's guess but WISHFULL THINKING is as tough as old boots and this is his trip nowadays. He got taken off his feet in the Champion Chase but was making up ground hand over fist up the hill and can reverse that form with Module and go one better than when second in this contest in 2012.
Ballynagour (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear of mid-division, steady headway 4 out, tracked leaders next, led soon after 2 out, ridden clear flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar beating Colour Squadron (11-1) by 8l, 23 ran.
Boston Bob (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, 8th and shaken up after 3 out, stayed on well from 2 out, nearest finish, 6th of 11, 9l behind Dynaste (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar.
Days Hotel (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Soon disputed lead, led from 4th, mistake 3 out, clear from next, reduced lead from last, ridden out to assert run-in, clear again closing stages, comfortably, won at Naas 2m chs G2 (1) in Feb beating Toner D'Oudairies (11-7) by 6l, 3 ran.
French Opera 33-1 (11-7) In touch, driven to chase leaders after 3 out, effort and every chance next, soon ridden and one pace, no impression flat, 5th of 23, 5l behind Savello (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Rajdhani Express 18-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 7th, went 2nd before 4 out, challenged next, lost 2nd and slightly impeded after last, stayed on, held by front pair, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Dynaste (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar.
Rathlin 20-1 (11-10) Mid-division on outside, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 7th of 11, 22l behind Dynaste (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar.
Rolling Aces (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, closed 9th, ridden and lost place 4 out, well beaten after next, soon pulled up, in a race won by Captain Chris (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f chs G1 (1) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Toner D'Oudairies (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Raced in rear, pushed along briefly from 5th, went moderate 2nd from 2 out where jumped left, closed from last, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 2nd of 3, 6l behind Days Hotel (11-10) at Naas 2m chs G2 (1) in Feb.
Wishfull Thinking 18-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, mistake 9th, 6th and not on terms 2 out, stayed on, never involved, 5th of 11, 13l behind Sire De Grugy (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Pepite Rose (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway on outside approaching 7th, chasing leaders when hit next, led 3 out, clear next, kept on strongly, very easily, won at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Mar beating Tony Star (11-0) by 12l, 8 ran.
Module (FR) 20-1 (11-10) In touch in mid-division, ridden after 9th, not fluent and outpaced 3 out, stayed on from last, closing towards finish, just failed to get 2nd, no impression on winner, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Sire De Grugy (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
