raced wide, chased leaders, pecked 8th, pushed along before 13th, weakened next
chased winner who soon went clear, jumped left 4th, lost 2nd and weakened soon after 3 out, blundered next
jumped boldly, made all at strong pace and clear most of way until given breather after 3 out, clear again from next, stayed on strongly, impressive
held up in last pair until mistake and dropped to rear 6th, given time to recover, closer tracking leaders 4 out, 2nd after next until approaching 2 out, no extra in 3rd
raced wide, chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up in rear, gained a place at 6th, steady headway tracking leaders 13th, 3rd after 3 out, went 2nd and mistake next, ridden and beaten between last 2, no chance with winner
Waiting Patiently won this last year and was fancied for the King George on his reappearance but got no further than the ninth fence, where Brian Hughes was knocked out of the saddle. He’s a class act and connections will be hoping for better luck today. POLITOLOGUE faded into fourth at Kempton having failed to stay but he’d beaten subsequent winner Charbel in a Grade 2 over this course and distance earlier and has every chance of getting back to winning ways today. Paul Nicholls also runs impressive recent winner Cyrname and he shouldn’t be underestimated but Aso steps up from handicap company with more on his plate. Fox Norton gave vain pursuit to Altior on his reappearance but still has a bit to prove after time off.
Aso (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Chased leaders, not much room 1st, led 8th, clear when idled flat, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Jan beating Happy Diva (10-8) by 2l, 7 ran.
Charbel (IRE) 7-4 (11-6) Mostly tracked leader, hit 4th, led 4 out, ridden before headed 2 out, ridden and one pace before last, no chance with winner, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 5, 5 1/4l behind Top Notch (11-6) at Kempton 2m 4f lst (1) gd in Jan.
Cyrname (FR) 4-1 (11-10) Led after 1st, made rest, clear after 4th, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Jan beating Doitforthevillage (11-0) by 21l, 10 ran.
Fox Norton (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Keen, chased winner throughout, left behind from 8th, never any chance, 2nd of 3, 7l behind Altior (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f (1) gs in Jan.
Politologue (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Towards rear, mistake 12th, headway 5 out, ridden after next, no extra approaching last, 4th of 10, 18l behind Clan Des Obeaux (11-10) at Kempton 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Waiting Patiently (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, badly hampered and unseated rider 9th, at Kempton 3m (1) gs in Dec.
