in touch, blundered 3rd and dropped rear, headway 11th, chased leaders 15th, went 2nd approaching 4 out, led 2 out, drew clear approaching last, eased towards finish
led to 10th, hit 13th, weakened from 5 out
chased leaders, pushed along after 11th, headway after 13th, led after next, ridden and headed 2 out, no chance with winner
chased leader, led 10th, headed after 14th, weakened and blundered 4 out
in touch, pushed along 7th, reminders after 11th, lost place from next
A tremendous renewal and the vote goes to Gold Cup second Exotic Dancer ahead of Our Vic and State Of Play. The selection has developed into one of the most consistent horses around this season and could round off the season in grand fashion today. He has only been beaten by superhorse Kauto Star in his last five starts, form which makes him hard to oppose here. The quicker ground should be no problem (has won on good-soft in the past) and he is taken to confirm Gold Cup placings with State Of Play and Turpin Green. The last-named ran a blinder that day, and Nicky Richards' gelding still looks to be improving aged eight. State Of Play is fully effective on this quicker ground and if able to keep with the leaders when the pace starts to quicken, he shouldn't be too far away. My Will ran no race in the Gold Cup and may struggle again so of more interest may be David Pipe's Our Vic. He ran a blinder when second in the Ryanair, however he has a mind of his own at times so cannot be put forward with any confidence despite his immense talent. Overall this looks a top-class renewal and Exotic Dancer is taken to end his season on a high.
Exotic Dancer (FR) 6-1 (11-6) Held up, steady headway 4 out, not fluent 3 out, soon challenging, led between last 2, well in command when hit last, drew clear flat, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan beating Our Vic (11-10) by 18l, 9 ran.
Our Vic (IRE) 2-1fav (11-10) Raced wide, narrow lead until 11th, stayed challenging, regained lead approaching 2 out and mistake, headed between last 2, soon beaten, 2nd of 9, 18l behind Exotic Dancer (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
My Will (FR) 5-2 (11-10) Held up in touch, hit 9th, headway and led briefly approaching 13th, chased leader 15th, 2nd when hit 4 out, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, jumped left for no extra from 2, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Little Brick (10-7) at Wincan.
State of Play 10-1 (11-4) Raced on inside, in touch and travelling well, headway to track leader 4 out, led 3 out, in command 2 out, driven clear flat, won at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov beating Juveigneur (11-1) by 4l, 16 ran.
Turpin Green (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Chased leaders, pushed along 11th, ridden approaching 2 out, chased winner when hit last, no impression, 2nd of 9, 12l behind The Outlier (10-3) at Haydock 3m hcp chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
