led, headed 2 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace
prominent, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, blundered and unseated rider 3rd
held up in touch, pushed along before 5 out, soon lost place
with leader, mistake 4 out, led 2 out, ran on well
behind, not fluent, in 5th before 3 out, headway before next, one pace
always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway to go 4th from 4 out, mistake 3 out, weakened from 2 out
Might Bite may have been beaten by Native River in the Gold Cup but the first two dominated throughout and there is no reason why Nicky Henderson’s classy stayer shouldn’t again beat sixth Definitly Red and seventh-placed Tea For Two, though Lizzie Kelly’s mount sprang a surprise in this last year when beating Cue Card with Bristol De Mai a well-beaten fifth. Might Bite beat DOUBLE SHUFFLE, Tea For Two and Bristol De Mai in the King George at Kempton but had only a length to spare over Tom George’s eight-year-old, who has proved himself better than a handicapper this season. At the likely odds, the latter could be a bit of value here as he arrives a fresh horse. Clan Des Obeaux tackles 3m for the first time and is likely to be found wanting but Sub Lieutenant could grab a place at a working man’s price if on a going day.
Bristol De Mai (FR) 7-4fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th and again 14th, driven to chase winner after 3 out until after next, ridden and no extra in 3rd before last, 3rd of 8, 10 1/4l behind Definitly Red (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f (1) hvy in Jan.
Clan Des Obeaux (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, pushed along 4 out, headway after 3 out, no impression on leader when left with every chance before 2 out, led before last, headed flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Guitar Pete (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Definitly Red (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 14th, struggling to hold place after, well behind 18th, plugged on past some beaten horses from 3 out but no chance, 6th of 15, dist behind Native River (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) sft in Mar.
Double Shuffle (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, ridden and effort after 4 out, chased winner next, brief chance approaching last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Might Bite (11-10) at Kempton 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Might Bite (IRE) 4-1fav (11-10) Pressed winner throughout, took narrow lead traveling better than rival 2 out, shaken up and headed last, ridden and edged right about 150 yards out, soon 2 lengths down and held, no extra close home, 2nd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Native River (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) sft in Mar.
Sizing Codelco (IRE) 50-1 (11-11) Mid-division on outside, in touch 6th, driven and lost place before 4 out, weakened before next, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) hvy in Mar.
Sub Lieutenant (IRE) 18-1 (11-10) Prominent, not fluent 7th, lost 2nd 12th, outpaced next, weakened 3 out, 4th of 6, 27 1/2l behind Balko Des Flos (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar.
Tea For Two 50-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, hit 1st, hampered next, disputing 9th 4 out, no impression, well beaten from 3 out, 7th of 15, dist behind Native River (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) sft in Mar.
