chased leader until 7th, weakened after next, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, lost place 6th, not a danger after
led, clear when blundered 8th, headed 4 out, weakened next
held up, blundered badly 4th, some headway 8th, no further impression
held up, headway approaching 5th to chase leaders, weakened after 8th
in touch, headway 5th, went 2nd 7th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, no extra
behind from 5th, hit 6th
chased leaders, lost place 5th, stayed on again from 3 out, took 4th approaching last and jumped right
held up, mistake 2nd (water), headway 6th, led 4 out, drew clear after 2 out, ran on well, eased close home
held up, headway 5th, chased leading trio after 8th, soon ridden, weakened 4 out
held up and always towards rear
Triple Gold Cup winner Best Mate makes his seasonal reappearance in this contest but, over a trip short of his best and with the likelihood that he will need the run, Henritta Knight's stable star is probably best left alone with preference for Mister McGoldrick, who gets the vote ahead of Kauto Star and Ashley Brook. The last mentioned won on his reappearance here last term and continued to progress throughout the season but he is likely to have other objectives this term and may not be ready for this test. Contraband had ground conditions to suit when landing the Arkle last season but may find the ground too testing for him today, while Monkerhostin probably wants further these days to show his best. Ground Ball is more than capable but seems a shade high in the weights at present, while Kadount was inconsistent in his first season over fences and may find these more experienced rivals too good form him. Kauto Star had created a favourable impression until a bad fall here in January curtailed his campaign last term and he is potentially useful. However, a watching brief is probably best advised and a safer bet at better odds could be Sue Smith's Mister McGoldrick, who may not have the class of one or two of his rivals but has gone well fresh in the past and, if he is fit for his return, could well be good enough to spring what would be a surprise victory.
Best Mate (IRE) 9-10fav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 4th, mistake 1st, 3rd from 5 out, 2nd 3 out, ridden and outpaced next, kept on from last without troubling winner, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Beef Or Salmon (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m chs Grd 1 sft in Dec.
Mister McGoldrick 11-1 (11-10) In touch, 4th when fell at the 3rd in race won by Moscow Flyer (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Apr, 6 ran.
Ashley Brook (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Made all, pressed from 5th until 8th, drew well clear approaching last, easily, won at Aintree 2m nov chs Grd 1 (A) gs in Apr beating War Of Attrition (11-4) by 16l, 10 ran.
Contraband 10-1 (11-10) Prominent, tracked winner 8th, under pressure 3 out, outpaced before 2 out, plugged on, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Well Chief (11-10) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr.
Ground Ball (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up, improved into 4th 4 out, 3rd next, soon ridden, no extra from last, 4th of 7, 5l behind Rathgar Beau (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs Grd 1 sft in Apr.
Kauto Star (FR) 2-11fav (11-4) Tracked leader, led on bit approaching 4 out, 12 lengths clear and cantering when fell 2 out, re-mounted, hit last, ran on well, 2nd of 3, shd behind Mistral De La Cour (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f nov chs (C) sft in Jan.
Kadarann (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) With leader, led after 5th, headed 4 out, ridden to regain lead briefly approaching 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Bambi De L'orme (11-0) at Warwick 2m chs (B) gf in May.
See You Sometime 20-1 (11-9) Led, mistake 7th, ridden 3 out, headed approaching last, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Like-A-Butterfly (11-2) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr.
Monkerhostin (FR) 9-4 (11-12) Held up, closed to track leading pair 3rd, chased winner before 3 out, no impression when lost 2nd next, weakened before last, 3rd of 6, 25l behind Westender (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl (B) gd in Jan.
Kadount (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden approachng 3 out, ran on towards finish, 2nd of 15, 1l behind Fota Island (11-10) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Apr.
Hot Shots (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Never going well in rear and pulled up at the last in race won by Tikram (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Apr, 14 ran.
