led, pushed along after 7th, headed after 4 out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, soon led, headed approaching last, switched right when not much room flat, weakened and lost 2nd place towards finish
tracked leader, led after 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, rallied flat to take 2nd towards finish, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden and weakening when hit and unseated rider 2 out
held up in rear, pushed along approaching 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, weakened flat
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, led approaching last, edged right flat, driven out
held up towards rear, weakened and behind approaching 7th, soon tailed off
This won't go down as one of the better renewals of this prestigious race but it is competitive. We'll hope for a shock result as we're siding with CLOUDY LANE ahead of Beshabar and Bouggler. The selection is better known as a chaser and his hurdling form is a long way below the level required but he didn't get many chances in that sphere and won four of his eight starts before being sent chasing. He was also below par in the Peter Marsh Chase but his course record still reads five wins from nine starts and he handles testing conditions well so he looks worth chancing at an each-way price in a modest field. Beshabar has always been well-regarded by both of his trainers and won a handicap impressively at Sandown last time; he's still one of the lowest rated runners in the field but is one of few that has the potential to rank higher and has to be feared but bookmakers are unlikely to take any chances. There hasn't been a successful five year old in the last ten years so the statistics appear to be against Bouggler who certainly deserves to win a race of this stature on this year's evidence. He and Kayf Aramis were only separated by a neck at Cheltenham and there's little to choose between the pair here. The popular battler Lough Derg finished runner-up here in 2008 and can't be ignored, Afsoun and Souffleur have been classy performers in their time whilst Pause And Clause looks well worth another try at this trip. However, nothing really stands out in this line-up which is why we're prepared to chance Cloudy Lane at an each-way price.
Lough Derg (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Led, reminders on paddock bend after 6th, clear and pushed along after 3 out, headed and weakened well before last, 7th of 13, 23l behind Beshabar (9-11) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft.
Bouggler 16-1 (11-4) In touch, mistake 9th, headway to 3rd after 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 13, 20l behind Tidal Bay (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G2 (1) sft in Jan.
Kayf Aramis 22-1 (11-4) In touch, not fluent 6th, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, stayed on again under pressure flat, no chance to reach leaders, 5th of 13, 20l behind Tidal Bay (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G2 (1) sft in Jan.
Pause And Clause (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, no impression approaching last, 5th of 17, 11l behind Mamlook (10-1) at Ascot 2m 3f Ltd hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan.
Afsoun (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Led and clear to before 5th, headed approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Medermit (11-8) at Haydock 2m hdl G2 (1) sft in Jan.
Cloudy Lane 6-1 (11-10) Towards rear, headway 9th, not fluent and lost place next, no impression after, 6th of 12, 27l behind Our Vic (11-3) at Haydock 3m hcp chs G2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Souffleur 40-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, 4th of 17, 7l behind Mamlook (10-1) at Ascot 2m 3f Ltd hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan.
Times Up Barney 33-1 (10-3) Led approaching 2nd, not fluent 6th, headed before 3 out, weakened approaching next, 6th of 9, 38l behind Zaffarella (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Beshabar (IRE) 10-1 (9-11) Held up in mid-division, headway to track leaders 8th, led before 2 out, clear when wandered approaching last, won at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft beating Erzen (9-11) by 8l, 13 ran.
