held up towards rear, modest 6th 25th, jumped left and bumped rival 27th, soon well behind
tracked leaders, pushed along after 24th, 2nd 27th until 4 out, 3rd and no extra from 2 out
always behind
tracked leader, led 16th, headed next, pecked 21st, led 23rd, carried right by loose horse after 27th, driven before last, headed flat, no impression towards finish
tracked leaders, lost place 7th, pushed along 19th, behind from next, bumped 27th, well beaten after
soon tailed off, mistake 4th, pulled up before 18th
led, not fluent 8th, headed 16th, led next, headed 23rd, mistake 27th, no extra 3 out
struggling 6th, well behind 10th, pulled up before 24th
chased leaders, disputing 2nd when mistake and unseated rider 26th
mid-division, mistake 17th, left 4th 26th, closed after next, 2nd 4 out, led flat, stayed on
Cantlow handled these fences with aplomb in November and ran out an easy winner. Only 4lb higher, he’ll be fancied to complete a cross-country hat-trick but he only had six lengths to spare over staying-on stablemate AUVERGNAT at Punchestown earlier and the latter is now 13lb better off plus Rachael Blackmore’s claim - he may be the value. Valadom has handled these unique fences in the past and could have each-way claims while Any Currency is a standing dish over track and trip and, though not getting any younger, should give a good account. Rocky Creek won the London Grand National two runs ago but ran no sort of race on a return visit to Sandown. Alelchi Inois has won at Grade 2 and Grade 3 level but stamina may be an issue.
Alelchi Inois (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Held up, pushed along after 3 out, soon no impression in 4th, slight mistake last, one pace, 4th of 5, 22 1/4l behind Champagne West (11-2) at Tramore 2m 5f lst (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Any Currency (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost place 12th, tailed off 15th, pulled up after, at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Cause Of Causes (USA) 50-1 (11-9) Towards rear, pushed along briefly 8th, impeded 9th, no impression before straight, 14th of 28, dist behind Noble Endeavor (11-3) at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
Cantlow (IRE) 13-8fav (11-2) Chased leaders, 2nd 7th, led 18th, clear from 2 out, pushed out, easily, won at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gf in Dec beating Bless The Wings (11-12) by 9l, 7 ran.
Rocky Creek (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Chased leaders until not fluent and lost place 9th, towards rear and struggling 13th, tailed off, 11th of 16, dist behind Pete The Feat (10-1) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Fago (FR) 50-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, slight mistake 4th, 4th halfway, slight mistake 7th, no extra in 5th after 3 out, weakened, last of 6, dist behind Arctic Skipper (11-1) at Navan 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Valadom (FR) 2-1 (11-2) Led, not fluent 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, 3 lengths down last, kept on same pace, well held flat, 2nd of 4, 3 1/4l behind The Bay Oak (11-2) at Catterick 3m 1f (4) gs in Jan.
The Job Is Right 50-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, closer in 10th and slight mistake 2 out, soon no extra and weakened, 19th of 25, 34 1/2l behind Electric Concorde (10-11) at Leopardstown 3m hcp Yielding in Dec.
Auvergnat (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, progress into 6th at 16th, slight mistake 7 out, ridden in 5th after 3 out, no impression in 4th 2 out, 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 13, 5 1/2l behind Cantlow (11-9) at Punchestown 3m sft in Nov.
Urgent De Gregaine (FR) (11-3) 5th of 9, 18l behind at Lyon-Parilly 2m 3f hvy in Nov.
