tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 4 out, jumped left and held in 3rd 2 out, no extra flat
always prominent, jumped left 3rd, led before 4 out, headed 2 out, led again last, edged left flat, headed close home
held up towards rear, headway 4th, challenged 4 out, not fluent and led 2 out, headed last, stayed on well, led again close home
chased leaders on outside, outpaced before 4 out, no impression
held up, headway 4th, lost place next, 5th and no impression 4 out, went 4th after last
mid-division, niggled along 2nd, lost place before 5th, outpaced 7th, well beaten from next
led, headed before 4 out, no extra 2 out
in rear, jumped left 3rd, outpaced 7th, well beaten next
Paul Nicholls has won this five times and this year relies on former champion chaser Dodging Bullets. But the eight-year-old is giving away lumps of weight to his rivals on his reappearance, including GARDE LA VICTOIRE. Philip Hobbs' charge was a smart novice last season and proved his well-being when giving weight and a beating to some useful handicappers over hurdles at Ffos Las last month. Presenting Arms keeps finding one too good but could make the frame again while Sir Valentino is back over a suitable distance having failed to stay 2m5f at Market Rasen in the summer. Pain Au Chocolat has won twice over hurdles and twice over fences but generally comes up short in this sort of company.
Dodging Bullets 12-1 (11-7) Held up off the pace in 5th, went modest 4th at 7th, plugged on into 3rd run-in, no chance with winner, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gd in Apr.
Garde La Victoire (FR) 11-4 (11-10) Tracked leader, led before 3 out, 11/2 lengths clear when blundered next, ridden after last, kept on well, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp (2) gs in Oct beating Welsh Shadow (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Sir Valentino (FR) 14-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 16, 35 1/4l behind Long House Hall (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Pain Au Chocolat (FR) (11-0) 8th of 14, dist behind Polygona (11-2) at Enghien 2m 3f hvy in May.
Presenting Arms (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 3rd, front pair clear from 5th, closed after 3 out, went 2nd flat, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 8, nk behind Marracudja (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (2) gd in Oct.
Dresden (IRE) 40-1 (10-6) Chased leaders early, lost place 6th, slow 9th, beaten next, 7th of 8, 36 3/4l behind Art Mauresque (10-10) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Ultragold (FR) 10-1 (10-6) Prominent until 3rd, chased leaders, outpaced when mistake 3 out, well held next, 6th of 14, 29l behind Fox Norton (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Purple 'n Gold (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Prominent, leader well clear after 2nd, closed 3 out, weakened before last, 8th of 12, 17 3/4l behind Cliffs Of Dover (10-2) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
