prominent, led 4th until 6th, prominent until dropped to last tamely after 8th, never back on terms, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden after 15th, weakened 17th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
led until 4th, led 6th, ridden after 3 out, blundered badly next, soon headed, rallied very gamely to lead flat, won going away, driven out
held up, mistake 2nd, weakened 17th, blundered 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before next
close up, blundered badly 2nd and lost place, headway to dispute 2nd 8th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
close up until weakened 17th, behind when virtually fell 2 out, soon pulled up
reminders to chase leaders after 1st, driven after 11th, led soon after 2 out, hard ridden and headed flat, no extra
held up, smooth headway after 17th, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened quickly, finished very tired
The weights favour HALCON GENELARDAIS and Star De Mohaison and we'll take Alan King's gelding to come out on top. He was the first horse home in the Gold Cup that wasn't trained at Ditcheat and he hasn't shirked a challenge since. He has made the frame under top weight in the Scottish and Welsh Nationals in two of his three subsequent starts but this type of race offers him the best opportunity to gain a deserved success. Star De Mohaison produced a fine weight carrying performance to run Mon Mome close in a handicap at this track last month. He missed 2007 but that latest start was as good a race as the former SunAlliance winner has run in his career and he's a real threat if able to reproduce that performance. Nozic beat Tidal Bay convincingly at Wetherby but there's a big swing in the latter's favour and his supporters will be looking for a big run. How he fares here is likely to decide his Festival target but he hasn't appeared to have travelled as well in his races as he did last year. Roll Along is the other interesting contender and he has to recover from a slightly disappointing performance at Sandown. He has work to do at the weights and will need to run a big race if he's to line up in the Blue Riband event in March. Alan King's charge is the pick at the weights, has everything in his favour and has performed to a consistently high level and Halcon Genelardais can enjoy his moment in the limelight.
Ollie Magern 12-1 (11-5) Led, ridden and headed 11th, soon beaten, 5th of 8, 24l behind Nozic (10-8) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Snoopy Loopy (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Chased leader to 8th, soon driven along to hold place, weakening when mistake 12th, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Dec.
Joe Lively (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Chased leader, led or disputed to 4 out, one pace, 6th of 20, 10l behind Notre Pere (11-0) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Nozic (FR) 7-1 (10-8) In touch, ridden to lead approaching 4 out, kept on well, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec beating Tidal Bay (11-12) by 7l, 8 ran.
Tidal Bay (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Chased leaders, blundered 7th, ridden and effort 5 out, driven from one pace 2 out, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Nozic (10-8) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Roll Along (IRE) 2-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, not fluent 6th, mistake and lost place 12th, outpaced 16th, rallied from 3 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Barbers Shop (11-5) at Sandown 3m lst chs (1) gs in Dec.
Halcon Genelardais (FR) 10-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden after 17th, hampered on bend soon after and lost place, stayed on again from 3 out, went 3rd final strides, 3rd of 20, 7l behind Notre Pere (11-0) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Star De Mohaison (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Travelled well in mid-division, joined leaders after 4 out, ridden and every chance after last, kept on, no extra near finish, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Mon Mome (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Dec.
