held up, pushed along after 8th, headway approaching 13th, struggling from 3 out
narrow leader until after 2nd, with leader until 4 out, weakened 2 out, virtually pulled up flat, tailed off
prominent, lead after 2nd, ridden and headed when mistake 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, lost 2nd near finish
mid-division, dropped to rear when mistake 6th, mistake 8th, slightly hampered 2 out, stayed on approaching last, went 4th flat, never dangerous
prominent until ridden and weakened after 13th
held up in touch, ridden approaching 12th, struggling next, disputing 7th and beaten when fell 4 out
mid-division, reminder approaching 8th, soon struggling, tailed off when not fluent 13th, pulled up before 4 out
held up, jumped slowly 5th, struggling to go pace thereafter, tailed off 10th
chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, ridden to lead 2 out, 4 lengths clear last, driven out
held up towards rear, headway 11th, mistake 12th, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 9th, slightly outpaced after 11th, stayed on to go 3rd and jumped left 2 out, kept on flat, took 2nd near finish
This is yet another very good race, and there are plenty that will attract support but, from our shortlist of Our Vic, Fondmort, Sir Oj and Impek, we will side with Impek. Impek has been a revelation this season, beating Monkerhostin in the Peterborough Chase and then finishing third in the King George. He has also proven that he goes well here and, on ratings, has to be afforded a good chance. It all adds up to a good run from the Henrietta Knight-trained gelding. Having beaten Fota Island (who will by now have run in the Queen Mother Champion Chase), Hi Cloy can be rated as very useful and, along with Noel Meade's Sir Oj, who improved to win a Grade 2 Chase at Naas last time, they make up a very good Irish challenge for this race. Our Vic's Paddy Power Gold Cup success here in November left a big impression and he showed his wellbeing when winning a Grade 1 event at Lingfield last time so rates as a major player. My Will, who is five pounds better off for six lengths from that race, and Fondmort, who loves it here, and is five pounds better off for eight lengths, are both respected, but for the winner we return to Impek.
Hi Cloy (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Held up in touch, improved into 4th 6 out, driven along after next, no extra from 3 out, 4th of 7, 33l behind Newmill (11-10) at Thurles 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Our Vic (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Led to 2nd, stayed pressing leader, led 7th, slightly hampered by loose horse 9th, in command when again hampered by loose horse approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 2m 4f chs Grd 1 (1) hvy in Feb beating My Will (11-7) b.
Impek (FR) 13-2 (11-10) Pressed leader, led 12th, headed before 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Kicking King (11-10) at Sandown 3m chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Dec.
My Will (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, outpaced and lost place after 17th, rallied and stayed on well from 2 out, 3rd of 15, 3l behind Innox (11-0) at Sandown 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Feb.
See You Sometime 14-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, weakened in 16th, mistake next, 4th of 9, well behind All In The Stars (10-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Feb.
Sir Oj (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Settled 2nd, led 4 out, headed 2 out, rallied under pressure last, led again early run-in, stayed on well, won at Naas 2m chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb beating Nickname (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Armaturk (FR) 13-8 (11-6) Chased clear leader, closed approaching 4th, jumped slowly and outpaced next, stayed on under pressure from 4 out, went 2nd and closed flat, always held, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Don't Be Shy (10-11) at Lingfield 2m chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Calling Brave (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division to rear, went behind 12th, tailed off when pulled up at the 16th in race won by Innox (11-0) at Sandown 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Feb, 15 ran.
Fondmort (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Held up in 5th, headway to track leading pair 7th, chased winner before 4 out until soon after, went 2nd again approaching 3 out, no impression when lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Our Vic (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 4f chs Grd 1 (1) hvy in.
Hand Inn Hand 14-1 (11-7) In touch in 5th, stayed on to chase leading trio approaching 3 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 7, 30l behind Kauto Star (11-7) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 1 (A) sft in Dec.
Lacdoudal (FR) 13-2 (11-6) Mid-division, headway approaching 12th, ridden after 4 out, weakened before next, 7th of 15, well behind Innox (11-0) at Sandown 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Feb.
