held up in touch, mistake 10th, headway 12th, hit next, chased leading pair from 15th, one pace
chased winner, hit 7th, joined winner 10th, not fluent 12th, challenged 4 out, led next, drawing clear when blundered 2 out, caught post
in rear, effort after 11th, weakened from 15th
led, headed 3 out, soon ridden, hard ridden approaching last, led last stride
chased leaders, blundered 14th, weakened next
A high class field but this should see Kauto Star take the plaudits. The big question is whether that defeat will 'have blown Kauto Star's head off" as Harry Findlay suggested in the aftermath of the Gold Cup. He didn't jump as well as he can do at Cheltenham, whether that was due to Denman or whether he was slightly off colour we may never know but what we do know is that he has the beating of this field if he's near his best. Monet's Garden couldn't beat him at Ascot with everything in his favour, Exotic Dancer has never beaten him and was also below his best in the Gold Cup, Our Vic has twice disappointed here and Gungadu has a mountain to climb. Of that quartet, Monet's Garden appeals as the one for the forecast but we should be content to roll out the red carpet and pay homage to the vanquished hero, Kauto Star.
Exotic Dancer (FR) 17-2 (11-10) Mid-division, hit 9th, ridden and held when blundered 3 out, 5th of 12, 32l behind Denman (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Kauto Star (FR) 10-11fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, not fluent 11th, hit 4 out, soon ridden, chased winner approaching 2 out, held when hit last, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Denman (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Monet's Garden (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway 10th, soon chasing leaders, effort approaching 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Kauto Star (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Feb.
Our Vic (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Made all, clear when hit 2 out, ridden out flat, comfortably, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar beating Mossbank (11-10) by 5l, 9 ran.
Gungadu 4-1fav (11-12) Mid-division, not fluent 4th, headway 12th, led after 3 out, challenged last, kept on well under pressure, won at Kempton 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Feb beating Kelami (10-13) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
