Venetia Williams has won the last two renewals of the this contest and FONTAINE COLLONGES is a likely sort given the manner with which she saw off her rivals here in November. Bristol De Mai doesn’t lack for effort and while predictably held in the Betfair Chase, he won this race in 2017 and took the proverbial roof off the venue when scooping the Grand National Trial here last February. Empire Steel failed to complete in this last year while Blaklion and Cooper's Cross face tough tasks from outside of the handicap.
Bristol De Mai (FR) 11-1 (11-10) Led after 1st, headed briefly 12th, soon led again, nudged along before 4 out, headed 4 out, soon ridden, lost second next, no extra from 2 out, lost third after last, 4th of 5, 20 3/4l behind Protektorat (11-10) at Haydock 3m 2f (1) sft in Nov.
Empire Steel (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) In rear, held up, pushed along 4 out, soon ridden, never nearer, 7th of 13, 14 1/2l behind Brave Seasca (12-1) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Dr Kananga 8-1 (11-7) Prominent, led 3rd, mistake and headed 16th, weakened before 2 out, very tired last, 16th of 22, dist behind Ashtown Lad (11-5) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Fontaine Collonges (FR) 7-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, outpaced before 4 out, rallied run-in, went 4th post, 4th of 14, 9l behind Remastered (12-1) at Kempton 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Blaklion 17-2 (11-9) Led, mistake 5th, pushed along and headed 4 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 9, 37l behind Saint Xavier (10-8) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Cooper's Cross (IRE) 3-1 (10-11) Held up in midfield, headway to press for 3rd 4 out where not fluent, ridden before 3 out, kept on to chase clear leader 2 out, bad mistake last, held on for 2nd near finish, 2nd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Minella Drama (12-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
