held up, outpaced 11th, stayed on approaching 2 out, never dangerous
held up, headway 10th, chased winner 3 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on towards finish
chased leaders, not fluent 5th, led 5 out, ridden from last, kept on under pressure towards finish
chased leaders, went 2nd from 6th, every chance 4 out, ridden approaching next, weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, weakened 10th, mistake and unseated rider next
led, soon clear until 8th, headed 5 out, soon weakened
in touch, took closer order, reminders on bend after 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
Kauto Star was mightily impressive when taking this event 12 months ago before further success in the King George and Gold Cup and, following a promising return when giving lumps of weight away in the Old Roan Chase, the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding is taken to resume winning ways, getting the verdict ahead of My Way de Solzen and Exotic Dancer. The last mentioned chased home the selection at both Kempton and Cheltenham last season and should do better than when well beaten at Aintree in the Old Roan on his reappearance, especially over this longer trip. Nicky Richards sent out Monet's Garden to win that contest and today tries to lower the colours of Europe's leading staying chaser with Turpin Green but a place is realistically the best that he can hope for. Beef Or Salmon has the ability to take a hand in the finish but has never been the best of visitors to the UK and of more interest may be My Way de Solzen. Alan King has his string in really good form at present and last season's Arkle winner should not be inconvenienced by the return to further for his reappearance. He has to be respected but Kauto Star should be too classy for his rivals and he is taken to resume winning ways.
Beef Or Salmon (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Settled 4th, lost place 9th, 6th 6 out, no impression from next, 8th of 10, 31l behind Neptune Collonges (11-12) at Punchestown 3m 1f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Exotic Dancer (FR) 9-2 (11-3) Held up in rear, blundered 10th, left 3rd 4 out, no impression, 3rd of 4, 22l behind Monet's Garden (10-10) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Oct.
Kauto Star (FR) 11-10fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, niggled along after 8th, left 2nd 4 out, soon ridden, not fluent 2 out and last, kept on flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Monet's Garden (10-10) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Oct.
My Way de Solzen (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Mid-division, took closer order 6th, went 2nd 3 out, not fluent 2 out, ridden to lead before last, ran on strongly flat, won at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (1) sft in Mar beating Fair Along (11-2) by 5l, 13 ran.
Offshore Account (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, progress into 4th 6 out, 2nd 3 out, soon ridden to challenge, one lenght down when left in clear lead from last, won at Punchestown 3m 1f nov chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr beating Knight Legend (11-10) by 11l, 7 ran.
Ollie Magern 11-4 (11-0) Made all, driven after 12th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on gamely, won at Wetherby 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gf beating State of Play (11-6) by 2l, 7 ran.
Turpin Green (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) In touch, pushed along 7th, reminders after 11th, lost place from next, last of 5, 41l behind Exotic Dancer (11-12) at Aintree 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
