held up last, reminders 4th, weakened before 6th, pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened quickly before 2 out
prominent, ridden 5th, outpaced 6th, rallied and stayed on, one paced 2 out
held up, blundered 1st, ridden after 4th, weakened 6th, soon tailed off
made all, quicken on bit 3 out, clear before 2 out, eased from last
Like most of the card, this race has also suffered from plenty of defections, resulting in the weights going up a stone. So, Imperial de Thaix has 11st 12lb and has a major chance of getting back to winning ways. He bounced off the ground when scoring at Cheltenham last April, having previously been thought of as a Royal & SunAlliance Chase prospect when winning over fences at Chepstow the year before. Things have not gone his way since, but the seven-year-old is undoubtedly well handicapped, having plummeted in the weights this term. Pipe's inmate caught the eye when down the field at Kempton last time, and must take the beating, with stablemate Aquarius the main danger, having proved himself under these conditions at Taunton earlier. Rift Valley and Sovereign have it all to do from out of the handicap, but Field Master has fair form and Lorgnette comes from a stable doing well. However, it should be plain sailing for Imperial de Thaix.
