hit 1st, chased leaders, lost place 13th, weakened 3 out
held up in rear, headway 12th, chased leading pair after 3 out to next, soon ridden and one pace
held up in rear, headway on outside 11th, chased leaders 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced
mid-division, chased leaders 12th, outpaced when hit 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression
mid-division, lost place 6th, behind from 12th, pulled up before 2 out
soon led, headed 12th, with leader, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, hit 5th, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 12th, weakened 3 out
towards rear, headway into mid-division 13th, driven and outpaced 3 out, beaten when hampered 2 out
mid-division, weakened 13th, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, challenged 9th, led 12th, ridden and headed before 2 out, kept on same pace
with leader, blundered and lost place 8th, behind from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division on outside, weakened 4 out, behind from next
mid-division on inside, hit 13th, driven to chase leaders approaching 3 out, 8th and no impression when fell 2 out
chased leaders to 13th, behind from 3 out
always behind, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, headway 12th, challenged 3 out, led before next, ridden last, held on under pressure flat
behind, blundered 8th, headway into mid-division 13th, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, no impression
held up behind, blundered 10th, headway 13th, 5th 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure to chase winner towards finish
mid-division on inside, headway approaching 3 out, 3rd when mistake and pecked 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to chase winner flat, lost 2nd towards finish
chased leaders, lost place 11th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders, lost place 12th behind when hit 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
always towards rear
If SONG OF SONGS stays this far he's surely got to go close off a mark of 138 so we'll take a chance on his stamina and select him to beat I'm So Lucky, Chapoturgeon and Aigle D'Or. Once again Tony McCoy had a few to choose from and it's easy to see why he's gone with James Fanshawe's gelding. It's true the horse hasn't quite been at his best this season, but you get the feeling connections have been slowly working towards this target and perhaps now aged eight he needs a greater test of stamina than that he's faced. If you go back to this time last year he gave Deep Purple a beating and that horse isn't far off top class, further strengthening the belief that this horse is well handicapped and, if further convincing was needed, he does seem to come into his own when spring is in the air. Of course, this is another competitive race and simply being well treated doesn't give any horse a divine right to win, there are a few horses who could also be nicely in at the weights. One such contender is Aigle D'Or, whose hurdles form would make this mark of 130 look ridiculous as he was rated in the high 140's over hurdles. That reflects the fact he's not as good over the bigger obstacles but it'd be no great surprise were Nicky Henderson to have him ready to put in a much improved round of jumping at a rewarding price. Perhaps though it'll pay to stick to those who have won races over fences, with Chapoturgeon and I'm So Lucky being two strong examples. The former won the Jewson on this day last year and hasn't done badly since, despite the fact he's yet to enter the winners' enclosure again. Our feeling is he might well have won the Boylesports Handicap here in December had he not made a very bad mistake and on that form he has claims now dropped a pound further in the ratings. I'm So Lucky has attracted support for this contest and must also enter calculations. David Pipe's runner was travelling sweetly when brought down here on New Years' Day in a race that's worked out, so racing off the same mark and with good ground to suit a big run is likely. On a line through Poquelin, Watch My Back has real claims of beating Chapoturgeon so must be respected but the 10lb penalty he's incurred for winning last time may prove too heavy an anchor, so of more interest is Tarotino for Alan King. This horse needs a sound surface and gets it here, whilst he also surely needs this sort of trip so a moderate eighth last time isn't as bad as it may appear. My Petra is still nicely treated on her best efforts but it's hard to fathom why she's struggled over fences of late. She ran nicely over hurdles last time and that may have boosted her confidence but a watching brief is advised, as it is with Sunnyhillboy who is interesting on hurdles form but hasn't yet convinced over fences and is up 7lb for a scrappy win last time. The Sawyer likes it here and has improved all season but his handicap mark has shot through the roof accordingly and he's had a long year, so of more interest is the less exposed Great Endeavour who was always likely to improve for fences and has done so. He's still a novice so this is a big ask, but the horse has form at Cheltenham and could surprise a few. Gwanako has plenty of weight for a small horse whilst the admirable Our Vic may have to give best to some of the younger brigade, as might Mister McGoldrick despite plenty of strong winning form here. Jayo has the ability if putting it all together but hasn't yet impressed over fences whilst Atouchbetweenacara has had a disappointing year. Song Of Songs looks very well handicapped and can give the champion another winner.
Our Vic (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Made most until headed 7th, reminders after next, behind 11th, soon tailed off, 8th of 9, 36l behind Big Fella Thanks (11-1) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gs.
Gwanako (FR) 33-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway, in touch 12th, blundered badly 4 out, unable to recover, 9th of 17, 37l behind Poquelin (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grade 3 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
Chapoturgeon (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Held up, headway approaching 5 out, driven approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 21l behind Can't Buy Time (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Jan.
In Compliance (IRE) 28-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 5th, ridden after 3 out, kept on one paced from next, 5th of 7, 13l behind Joncol (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m Grade 1 chs hvy in Feb.
Made In Taipan (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Led, mistake 4th, headed 7th, remained close up, led again 3 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, 3rd last, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 5l behind Tranquil Sea (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 1f chs Grd 2 sft in Feb.
The Sawyer (BEL) 20-1 (11-7) Led to 1st, tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure flat, no impression, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Monet's Garden (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Feb.
My Petra 11-1 (11-5) Held up, in touch, took closer order 4th, led 4 out, kept on from last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Zarinava (11-0) at Doncaster 2m hdl G2 (1) gs in Feb.
Jayo (FR) 7-4fav (11-2) Held up in rear, headway from 3 out, close 4th travelling well entering straight, ridden in 2nd before last, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Anothercoppercoast (9-13) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs hvy in Jan.
Watch My Back 6-1 (11-4) In rear, headway approaching 4 out, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Dec beating Battlecry (11-6) by 11l, 15 ran.
Tarotino (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place 7th, struggling 4 out, no impression after, 8th of 15, 27l behind Kalahari King (11-12) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Feb.
Mister McGoldrick 15-2 (11-7) Led to 2nd, chased leader, outpaced approaching 5 out, rallied from 3 out, kept on to take 4th towards finish, 4th of 7, 13l behind De Boitron (10-4) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd.
Atouchbetweenacara (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) In touch, led 4th, headed 10th, blundered next, soon weakened, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Razor Royale (10-5) at Kempton 3m hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Feb, 13 ran.
Mount Oscar (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Led until 3rd, led again 6th, not fluent and headed 10th, lost place 5 out, 3rd of 5, 31l behind The Nightingale (11-0) at Kempton 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Knight Legend (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Soon in touch, mistake 4th, stumbled 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Laskari (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Nov.
Song of Songs 3-1fav (11-7) Chased leading pair until lost place 8th, no danger after, left modest 4th 2 out, 4th of 7, 7l behind Russian Flag (10-9) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Feb.
Private Be 8-1 (10-0) Held up mid-division, headway 12th, chased leaders 4 out, never on terms, 5th of 13, 31l behind Razor Royale (10-5) at Kempton 3m hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Feb.
Martys Mission (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) Held up behind, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on same pace, no impression, 5th of 16, 5l behind Beshabar (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Great Endeavour (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Chased leading trio, went 3rd before 4 out, challenged on outside 2 out, weakened on long run from last, 4th of 5, 12l behind Bakbenscher (11-4) at Lingfield 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Feb.
I'm So Lucky 16-1 (10-8) Held up, headway when brought down 4 out, in a race won by Can't Buy Time (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Sunnyhillboy (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 11th, headway 12th, challenged after 2 out, shaken up to lead flat, readily, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb beating Mont Present (10-13) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
From Dawn To Dusk 22-1 (10-4) Towards rear, mistakes 7th and 12th, no chance, well in rear when hit 4 out, 8th of 17, 34l behind Poquelin (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grade 3 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
Victorias Groom (GER) 11-8fav (11-12) Led 2nd, all of 12 lengths clear 8th, blundered 15th, jumped right last, unchallenged, won at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb beating Cool Roxy (11-9) by 20l, 4 ran.
Changing Course (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, 5th before 6 out, 8th 5 out, weakened from 3 out, 10th of 16, 30l behind Treacle (9-13) at Limerick 3m hcp chs in Oct.
Aigle D'or 12-1 (11-12) In touch until lost place 8th, not on terms after, tailed off 4 out, 6th of 12, well behind Fistral Beach (11-2) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
