Verdict

A typically-competitive renewal. Last month’s Paddy Power usually provides plenty of clues and Il Ridoto fared best of these in that, finishing fourth. However, Deyrann de Carjac was right on his heels and SIMPLY THE BETTS was in the process of running well until hampered by a faller at the last. The latter might be a bit of value as, though beaten 11 lengths by Stolen Silver here in April, he is 12lb better off plus David Maxwell’s claim. The latter unseated his rider in the Paddy Power and returned lame while Cheddleton, Fugitif and Frero Banbou are best over 2m but War Lord stays this trip and Fantastic Lady won a Listed race at Market Rasen on her reappearance, though she doesn’t seem to handle big fields. Coconut Splash still hasn’t won over fences after seven attempts.

Formwatch

Stolen Silver (FR) 4-1fav (11-8) Chased leaders on inside, mistake and lost place briefly 9th, in touch when blundered and unseated rider 3 out, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Nov.

Simply The Betts (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway on inside tracking leaders 3rd, pushed along before 3 out, mistake and weakened 2 out, 7th of 14, 11 3/4l behind Ga Law (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Nov.

War Lord (GER) 15-8 (10-7) Chased leaders, not fluent 5th, outpaced 8th, well held 4 out, kept on from 2 out, went 3rd before last, no impression, 3rd of 5, 21l behind Greaneteen (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Nov.

Cheddleton 12-1 (12-0) Led, headed before 4th, mistake 7th, lost second before 3 out, kept on to go second again after last, lost second final strides, 3rd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Stainsby Girl (10-11) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Nov.

Sole Pretender (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Chased leader on inside, led after 2nd, ridden and headed before 2 out, lost 2nd and weakened home turn, left modest 3rd at the last, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Banbridge (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov.

Frero Banbou (FR) 13-2 (10-9) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 7, 12 3/4l behind Boothill (10-7) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Nov.

Fern Hill (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Tracked leader, led 3 out, clear 2 out, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Super Survivor (10-7) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.

Fantastic Lady (FR) 5-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, closed before 8th, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, dived right through last, clear flat, stayed on, won at Market Rasen 3m lst fll (1) gs in Nov beating Zambella (11-6) by 4 3/4l, 6 ran.

Il Ridoto (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, closer in mid-division at 6th, headway chasing leaders 4 out, disputing 2nd when mistake last, weakened and lost 3rd final 110 yards, 4th of 14, 5l behind Ga Law (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Nov.

Kauto Riko (FR) 6-1 (11-8) Held up in last trio, some headway on inside 4 out, pushed along and outpaced before next, weakened soon after, 5th of 9, 19 1/4l behind Magic Dancer (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Nov.

Fugitif (FR) 11-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, stayed on and hung badly left run-in, went 2nd final 11o yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Amarillo Sky (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Nov.

Jacamar (GER) 28-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 10, 23l behind Zanza (11-8) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (2) gd in Nov.

Coconut Splash (IRE) 9-4fav (10-10) Chased leaders, went right 7th, went 2nd 4 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, went right last, dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Into Overdrive (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (1) gs in Oct.

Storm Control (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) Led, headed 2 out, chased leader until the last, weakened badly run-in, 8th of 14, 16l behind Ga Law (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Nov.

Deyrann de Carjac (FR) 18-1 (10-2) Off the pace in last pair, stayed on in 5th run-in, never going pace to reach leaders, 5th of 14, 5 3/4l behind Ga Law (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Nov.