held up in rear, never a factor
raced wide, mistake 4th, always in rear
held up in rear, never reached challenging position
prominent, tracked leader 3rd, mistake 8th, ridden and weakened next
always prominent, stayed on at same pace on long run after last
chased leaders, weakened 4 out, soon tailed off
tracked leaders, mistake 2 out, chased winner on long run after last, closed and gaining at finish, just held
tracked leader until mistake 3rd, stayed prominent, outpaced approaching last, kept on under pressure on long run after
held up in rear, hit 7th, headway 9th, chased leader last, led on long run soon after, idled and hard driven flat, held on all out near finish
held up in touch, headway 7th, blundered 2 out, beaten when mistake last
Le Volfoni, Vodka Bleu and Idole First form the shortlist in this handicap chase and the vote is given to Le Volfoni. The selection would probably have won here last time had he not made a bad mistake two out and on similar ground he can gain his compensation today. Vodka Bleu did not see out the trip at Newbury last time, but this course and distance winner has gone up 6lbs in the weights since then and although he should be thereabouts at the finish, he is probably worth taking on. Idole First won in emphatic fashion last time at Kempton and his trainer Venetia Williams seems to have restored his confidence. He has more on his plate today but it would be no surprise to see him go well as he is still well treated on his best form. Bold Bishop is from a yard in flying form so is another to consider, but for the winner we are happy to return to Le Volfoni.
Royal Auclair (FR) 13-8fav (11-8) In touch, went 2nd 25th, every chance 5 out, jumped slowly 2 out, stayed on, 5th of 14, 7l behind Spot Thedifference (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty chs (2) gd in Nov.
Knowhere (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Jumped left, tracked leader, led 9th, headed 3 out, hit next, weakened into 3rd when blundered last, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Ungaro (11-7) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Le Volfoni (FR) 4-1 (11-9) Raced wide, held up, headway to chase leaders 3 out, ridden and hit 2 out, weakened between last 2, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Too Forward (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) hvy.
Innox (FR) 50-1 (11-7) Held up, mistake 1st, blundered 3rd, in mid-division by 10th, mistake 13th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Halcon Genelardais (11-3) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
Roman Ark 7-4fav (11-9) Tracked leader, led approaching 10th, clear approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy beating Wain Mountain (11-11) by 14l, 5 ran.
Vodka Bleu (FR) 15-2 (10-7) Raced wide, held up in rear, headway 12th, chased leaders 17th, weakened soon after 3 out and pulled up at the last in race won by State of Play (11-4) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov, 16 ran.
New Alco (FR) 6-1jt-fav (10-5) Held up, headway 12th, chased leaders 4 out, stayed on strongly, just failed, 2nd of 15, shd behind D'Argent (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Dec.
Idole First (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, led 12th, in command 2 out, hit last, held on well flat, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs beating Laskari (10-13) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Whispered Secret (GER) 33-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, hit 9th and 2 out, stayed on approaching last, kept on well flat, took 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Saintsaire (10-11) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov.
Cousin Nicky 4-1co-fav (11-4) Chased leaders, blundered 8th, still challenging 4 out, one pace under pressure approching next, 3rd of 12, 21l behind Idole First (11-10) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Bold Bishop (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Held up behind leaders, went 3rd approaching 8th, weakened approaching 4 out, 3rd of 4, well behind Sporazene (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f Grad Ch (2) sft in Dec.
No Full (FR) 9-1 (10-1) In touch, every chance 4 out, led next, headed approaching 2 out, no extra, 8th of 15, 29l behind D'Argent (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Dec.
Lord Broadway (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden, lost place and pulled up at the 9th in race won by Fisherman Jack (10-0) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy, 15 ran.
