disputed lead, hit 10th, narrow lead 12th, mistake 15th, headed next, weakened after 17th, blundered next
with leaders, weakened and blundered 13th, tailed off 17th, pulled up before 4 out
held up in rear, stayed on under pressure from 3 out, but never going pace to reach leaders
not always fluent, held up well in rear, hit 8th, headway from 17th, not much room approaching 2 out, chased winner from 2 out, held when slightly hampered by loose horse, run- in
chased leaders, challenged 15th, weakend from 17th
always behind, tailed off when pulled up approaching 3 out
disputing lead, until bumped and unseated rider 5th
held up in mid-division on inside, steady headway from 17th, chased leaders on outside 3 out, quickened to lead 2 out, soon in command, clear when hit last, driven out
chased leaders, sprawled at 7th, hit 15th, weakened from next
mid-division, ridden and one paced when hit 3 out, no chance after
always behind, well in rear and no chance when fell 17th
held up in mid-division, blundered 17th, still plenty to do approaching 2 out, stayed on run in, not reached leaders
chased leaders, blundered 13th, weakening when mistake 4 out
chased leaders, led before 11th to next, regained lead and mistake 16th, headed 2 out, soon weakened
in touch on inside, headway to track leaders 11th, travelling well approaching 3 out, not much room approaching 2 out, weakened and not fluent last
always in rear, tailed off when hit 13th
took keen hold, soon tracking leaders, challenged from 16th, weakening when slightly hampered soon after 3 out
raced wide, held up in mid-division, steady headway from 16th, ridden to challenge and edged left approaching 2 out, soon one pace
Nonrunner
Despite being prone to the odd mistake and not being proven over the extended 3m2f, Kauto Star is hard to oppose and gets the vote to top off a brilliant season with the main dangers looking to be Exotic Dancer and L'ami. The last mentioned was not disgraced when fourth in this event 12 months ago and clearly still retains plenty of ability but he is now 10lbs worse in with the selection on their running in the Aon Chase last time and may be booked for a place at best. The Hennessy winner State of Play is clearly progressive and has to be respected but the general form of runners from the yard of Evan Williams has to be of concern so he may be best watched. The ground has seemingly gone against The Listener and Beef Or Salmon, who has often disappointed here. Exotic Dancer finished eight lengths behind Kauto Star in the King George and has done little wrong since then with his third victory of the season here at Cheltenham. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding has to be respected and makes more appeal than the Paul Nicholls-trained My Will, who has shown progressive form this term and may be good enough to nick a place. The latter's stablemate Kauto Star has done little wrong in his races this term apart from making a couple of dreadful jumping errors and, provided that he can put in a good clear round and last the extra trip up the stiff uphill finish, He looks the one that they all have to beat.
Beef Or Salmon (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, moderate 2nd after 3 out, soon ridden, no impression until stayed on well from last to lead near finish, won at Leopardstown 3m chs Grd 1 (1) hvy in Feb beating The Listener (11-12) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Bob Bob Bobbin 11-4fav (11-3) In touch, disputed lead 9th, hit next, outpaced 4 out, no impression, 4th of 11, 3l behind Neptune Collonges (11-9) at Newcastle 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Cane Brake (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Held up, 8th and progress 5 out, 5th 3 out, challenged after 2 out, led last, stayed on well under pressure, all out, won at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Dec beating Ballistraw (10-11) by 1/2l, 28 ran.
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.
Forget The Past 9-2 (11-12) Settled 2nd, mistake 5 out, under pressure before 3 out, soon no extra, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Beef Or Salmon (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m chs Grd 1 (1) hvy in Feb.
Halcon Genelardais (FR) 7-2 (11-6) In touch, mistake 5th, slightly hampered 9th, plugged on from 3 out, left moderate 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 9, 25l behind Exotic Dancer (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Idle Talk (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, mistake 6th, blundered and unseated rider at the 9th in race won by Exotic Dancer (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan, 9 ran.
Kauto Star (FR) 2-9fav (11-10) Held up, steady progress from 14th, led after 2 out, blundered last, soon hard ridden, all out, won at Newbury 3m chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb beating L'ami (11-0) by a nk, 6 ran.
Kingscliff (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, not fluent 4th, pushed along and lost place after 10th, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Kauto Star (11-8) at Haydock 3m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Nov.
L'ami (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Held up, chased winner from 4 out, ridden to challenge approaching last, every chance flat, held close home, 2nd of 6, nk behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Newbury 3m chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Marble Garden (USA) 250-1 (11-10) Held up, lost touch 4th, soon tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Sublimity (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) sft.
Monkerhostin (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway 11th, stayed on at same pace from 3 out, 4th of 9, 29l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
My Will (FR) 5-2 (11-10) Held up in touch, hit 9th, headway and led briefly approaching 13th, chased leader 15th, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, no extra from 2 out, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Little Brick (10-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft in.
Neptune Collonges (FR) 6-1 (11-6) Raced on stand's side, tracked leaders in 4th, narrow lead 11th, headed approaching 2 out, under pressure in 3rd when fell at the last in race won by Exotic Dancer (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan, 9 ran.
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.
Sybellius D'artaix (FR) 150-1 (11-10) Always behind, hit 7th, tailed off when, 7th of 10, 49l behind Voy Por Ustedes (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gs.
The Listener (IRE) 9-10fav (11-12) Attempted to make all, clear from 4 out, ridden after last, weakened under pressure close home, headed near finish, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Beef Or Salmon (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m chs Grd 1 (1) hvy in Feb.
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.
Racing Demon (IRE) 2-1fav (11-11) Held up, headway on inside to track leaders 6th, close up and travelling well when fell 4 out in race won by Verasi (10-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan, 17 ran.
