tracked leading pair, pushed along going out on final circuit, ridden into 2nd after 3 out, led under pressure approaching 2 out, ridden before last, kept on gamely when strongly pressed run-in, headed and no extra final 100 yards
took keen hold, held up last, mistake 6th, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, rallied on inside to dispute modest 3rd at the last, no chance with leading duo
took keen hold, held up tracking leaders in 4th, headway on outside into 2nd 2 out, ridden before the last, driven upsides run-in, stayed on to lead final 100 yards
led, headed before 2 out, mistake and lost 2nd 2 out, chased leading pair, ridden and no impression between last 2, just held on for modest 3rd
tracked leader until after 3 out, chased leading pair until before next, weakened soon after
How fascinating to see Garde La Victoire return to timber after just failing to repel Sir Valentino in the Haldon Gold Cup the last day. It may well be that Philip Hobbs is going to mix hurdling and chasing with his 7-y-o as he had previously landed the new-look Welsh Champion Hurdle. There's no doubt his fencing technique still houses room for improvement and, with fitness assured, he should go close. Zarkandar showed he retains both talent and ability to frustrate last time whilst Court Minstrel and Lil Rockerfeller are more than useful but YANWORTH (NAP) is the choice. He hasn't been seen since coming home behind Yorkhill in the Neptune at the festival but that was a splendid effort in an otherwise immaculate first season over timber. The Hobbs runner has a fitness advantage but Alan King's contender is the one to beat if ready to roll as he could well attain heady heights this term.
Lil Rockerfeller (USA) 14-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, switched inside between last 2, kept on and every chance last, one pace flat, 3rd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Silsol (11-1) at Wetherby 3m (1) gd in Oct.
Court Minstrel (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up off the pace in last, closer at 3rd, 3rd travelling well before 2 out, challenged on inside last, soon chasing winner, upsides and every chance run-in, just held, 2nd of 5, nk behind Hargam (11-0) at Kempton 2m lst (1) gd in Oct.
Yanworth 11-10fav (11-7) Held up mid-division on outside, headway 3 out, effort after next, ridden to chase winner before last, kept on under pressure flat, always held, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Yorkhill (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Mar.
Garde La Victoire (FR) Evensfav (10-12) Always prominent, jumped left 3rd, led before 4 out, headed 2 out, led again last, edged left flat, headed close home, 2nd of 8, shd behind Sir Valentino (10-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Zarkandar (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Tracked winner, still not ridden and close up when blundered and unseated rider last, at Aintree 2m 4f (2) gs in Nov.
