held up mid-division, took keen hold, smooth headway to track leaders before 7th, led on bit before 3 out, shaken up final 150 yards to draw clear, very easily
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders before 4 out, in 3rd and held when mistake 2 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway before 8th, chased leaders 4 out, chased winner next, evry chance 2 out, soon ridden, one pace flat, always well held
tracked leader, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden after 5 out, weakened next, pulled up before 3 out
held up behind, headway and mistake 4 out, pushed along and weakened before 3 out
led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, pushed along and mistake 4th, soon in rear, struggling from next
tracked leaders in 3rd, hit 9th, ridden and weakened before 3 out
held up in rear, pushed along 8th, weakened from 9th
held up towards rear,headway after 4 out, chased leading pair from 2 out, no impression
Just three weeks after their epic battle in the World Hurdle, Big Buck's and Grands Crus lock horns again over this much less demanding circuit. Paul Nicholls' star was gaining his 11th successive victory at The Festival and it's difficult to see how David Pipe's progressive six-year-old can reverse the positions, though the champion produced his least effective performance here last year when today's rival Possol gave him a fright. Different tactics may be applied this time but the conclusion is likely to be the same. However, CARLITO BRIGANTE had won the Coral Cup a day earlier in the style of a much-improved young stayer and Gordon Elliott wouldn't be running him here unless convinced he could perform with credit. He has plenty of ground to make up on the leading pair in the ratings and is untested over the trip but he looks cast-iron each-way material as his success at Cheltenham didn't appear to take much out of him.
Big Buck's (FR) 10-11fav (11-10) Always prominent, disputed 2nd 3 out, driven to lead between last 2, ridden and hard pressed when rider dropped whip approaching last, edged left flat, stayed on well and in command towards finish, won at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar beating Grands Crus (11-10) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Carlito Brigante (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Tracked clear pair, close up 5th, went 2nd 2 out, soon challenged going well, led when left 4 lengths clear last, stayed on well flat, readily, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar beating Bothy (10-7) by 6l, 22 ran.
Grands Crus (FR) 7-2 (11-10) Held up behind, headway 2 out, ridden to challenge approaching last, kept on and every chance until no extra and held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Big Buck's (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Gwanako (FR) 25-1 (10-5) Chased leaders on outside, lost place 3 out, soon behind, 15th of 23, 36l behind Buena Vista (10-3) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
Karabak (FR) 11-8fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, bad mistake 5th, soon lost place, rallied 4 out, soon chasing leaders, no impression from 2 out, 4th of 5, 23l behind Celestial Halo (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gs in Feb.
Khyber Kim 12-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, effort after 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 9th of 11, 18l behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Knockara Beau (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Led to 1st, tracked winner, lost place 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 4th and well held when not fluent last, 4th of 23, 14l behind Buena Vista (10-3) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
Markington 33-1 (11-0) In touch to 5th, soon lost place and in rear, tailed off 4 out, 10th of 12, well behind Barafundle (11-2) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Possol (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, jumped left throughout, reminders 9th, weakened before 15th, 9th of 13, well behind Massini's Maguire (11-3) at Ascot 3m listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct.
Sentry Duty (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Held up behind, headway 3 out, outpaced after next, never on terms, 8th of 12, 20l behind Karabak (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gs in Dec.
Won In The Dark (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, 3rd approaching last, 2nd and pressed winner run-in, kept on well, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Stonemaster (11-2) at Cork 2m 4f hdl in Mar.
