held up in mid-division, not fluent 1st, closed 4th, not fluent 7th (water), mistake 9th, outpaced after 4 out, well beaten from next
held up, blundered 2nd, behind from next, well adrift 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
jumped right at times, held up, headway 8th, outpaced by leaders after 3 out, no impression after, blundered 2 out, kept on flat
chased leaders, not fluent when lost place 9th, well held before 3 out, plugged on flat
always towards rear, well beaten 3 out, tailed off
bad mistake 1st, not going after and soon well behind, pulled up before 7th
held up in mid-division on outside, closed 6th, not fluent 9th, lost place before 3 out, no impression after, blundered badly 2 out, plugged on
led, headed after 4 out, stayed close up, outpaced by winner 2 out, no impression after, pressed for 2nd after, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, close 3rd when not fluent 3 out, soon challenging, led before 2 out, clear when untidy last, about 6 lengths ahead flat, ridden out
tracked leader, hit 4th, led after 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon no impression on winner, kept on same pace
UN DE SCEAUX (NAP) made all in last year's Arkle and beat God's Own by six lengths. He's won five of his seven starts over fences and been clear when falling in the other two. Sire De Grugy couldn't get him off the bridle in the Clarence House at Ascot last month and he's a high-class two-miler himself so it's likely the fences will be the chief barrier to success for Willie Mullins' superstar. Like Sire De Grugy, Sprinter Sacre and Dodging Bullets have won this in the past. Nicky Henderson's 10-year-old has been back to something near his best this season but had to battle to hold Sire De Grugy in the Desert Orchid at Kempton so looks held. Reigning champion Dodging Bullets has only managed one run this season and folded tamely but Paul Nicholls is expecting a much better effort today. Somersby has twice finished second in this but his chance has probably gone while last year's third Special Tiara probably needs a faster surface. The selection's stablemate Felix Yonger may only be making up the numbers along with Sizing Granite and Just Cameron.
Dodging Bullets 6-5 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd approaching 4 out, under pressure next, kept on same pace approaching last, never a threat, 2nd of 4, 10l behind Top Gamble (11-5) at Newbury 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Felix Yonger (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Held up behind leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd 2 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m (1) sft in Jan beating Flemenstar (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
God's Own (IRE) 2-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, went 2nd 11th, challenged 2 out, beaten when awkward last, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Josses Hill (11-0) at Kempton 2m 4f (2) sft in Feb.
Just Cameron 9-1 (11-11) Led to 7 out, one pace in 2nd from 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Dandridge (10-2) at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) gd in Jan.
Sire De Grugy (FR) 11-4 (11-7) Tracked leader, hard driven to challenge before 2 out, kept on well under pressure closing stages, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Un De Sceaux (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f (1) sft in Jan.
Sizing Granite (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 4 out, rear and slight mistake next, soon no impression, 5th of 6, dist behind Flemenstar (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) hvy in Dec.
Somersby (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led until 8th, 4th and outpaced from 4 out, no impression on leaders, 4th of 5, 14 1/2l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-10) at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Special Tiara 3-1 (11-7) Led until 9th, chased winner, challenging when badly hampered last, kept on run-in, not quite able to challenge, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Sire De Grugy (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Sprinter Sacre (FR) 8-11fav (11-10) Held up in touch in 4th, closed 8th, challenged next, shaken up before 2 out, better jump than rival to lead last, ridden out, won at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Dec beating Sire De Grugy (11-10) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Un De Sceaux (FR) 1-2fav (11-7) Made all, travelled well throughout, shaken up after 2nd last, quickened clear flat, easily, won at Ascot 2m 1f (1) sft in Jan beating Sire De Grugy (11-7) by 5l, 5 ran.
