reminders 11th, always towards rear
mid-division, mistake 7th, went left 10th, headway approaching 15th, ridden after 3f out, chased winner approaching last, stayed on well, just failed
held up towards rear, mistake 7th, headway after 14th, weakening when mistake 16th, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, mistake 10th and dropped rear, lost touch from 15th
lost touch quickly after 4th, pulled up before 6th
held last, steady progress from 14th, ridden after 3 out, no impression, 5th and beaten when fell last
tracked leaders, went 2nd 13th, hit 16th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
led until 10th, chased winner, hit 12th, ridden and lost place after 14th, never back on terms
chased leaders, ridden after 14th, weakened after next, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd flat
behind from 9th, held off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, mistake 14th, headway next, ridden to chase winner after 3 out until approaching last, kept on same pace
took keen hold in mid-division, mistakes 7th and 8th, in rear when hit 13th, weakened 15th
prominent, led 10th, 5 lengths clear 3 out, soon ridden, just held on, all out
OEDIPE gets the confident vote here ahead of his returning stablemate Trabolgan and Gungadu. The selection was beaten by just over forty lengths on his reappearance last season before winning next time up. This season he was nibbled at in the betting for the Hennessey but was well held but hopefully getting his own way in front here he can put his rivals to the sword. Gungadu is capable of shouldering big weights but the yard have been under a little bit of a cloud recently and he has a little to prove having been pulled up on heavy last time, Eric's Cham and Alderburn are both consistent if perhaps slightly lacking the class of a few here, whilst Monkerhostin is getting on but ran well in fifth at Newbury ahead of the selection. Don't rule out an improved show from Dom D'Orgeval who has a similar profile to Hennessey winner Madison Du Berlais, however all eyes will be on Trabolgan. He has been brought along softly softly after a succession of injuries and returns from a 1120 day absence, last seen winning the Hennessey in 2005. Iron Man's best form has been in the summer, Faasel is talented but not straight-forward and does little in front, whilst Fundamentalist has run well here in the past but wasn't on song recently at Cheltenham. A competitive affair, with the confident vote going to Oedipe.
Gungadu 9-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent when struggling from 13th, tailed off when pulled up at the 17th in race won by Black Apalachi (10-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lst hcp chs (1) hvy in Nov, 13 ran.
Monkerhostin (FR) 33-1 (11-9) In rear, mistake and ridden 13th, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, not pace to get competitive, 7th of 15, 16l behind Madison Du Berlais (11-4) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov.
Trabolgan (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, blundered 13th, going well from 4 out, led briefly approaching last, soon led again, pushed out, readily, won at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Nov '05 beating L'ami (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 19 ran.
Faasel (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) Held up, headway 3 out, driven to lead near line, won at Carlisle 2m 5f chs (2) hvy in Nov beating Tot O'Whiskey (11-6) by a hd, 6 ran.
Fundamentalist (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, led after 17th, hit 4 out, soon ridden, headed after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 15, 29l behind Mon Mome (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gs.
Piraya (FR) 20-1 (11-1) Hit 1st, mid-division until 10th, soon behind, 11th of 19, well behind Imperial Commander (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Oedipe (FR) 10-1 (11-0) In touch, blundered and weakened 16th, no chance when blundered 4 out, 10th of 15, 43l behind Madison Du Berlais (11-4) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov.
Eric's Charm (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders until mistake and lost place 15th, rallied under pressure from 2 out, hit last, stayed on flat, 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Kilbeggan Blade (11-7) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Iron Man (FR) 11-1 (10-9) Prominent, chased winner approaching 2 out until approaching elbow, no extra, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Endless Power (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
Alderburn 50-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 15, 10l behind According To Pete (10-13) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Dom d'Orgeval (FR) 20-1 (10-2) Held up, stumbled badly 3rd, ridden and weakened after 18th, 7th of 10, well behind Joe Lively (10-3) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Out The Black (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 5th of 12, 22l behind Roll Along (11-1) at Ascot 3m hcp chs (2) gd in Nov.
Lysander (GER) 6-1 (11-5) Pecked 1st, tracked leaders, went left 4th, ridden approaching 5 out, went 3rd after 4 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 5, 12l behind Presenting Copper (11-10) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy.
Niche Market (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Chased winner, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, lost 2nd soon after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 4, 24l behind Ornais (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m Grad Ch (2) sft in Nov.
