led, mistake 4th, headed next, chased leader, hit 1th, lost 2nd next, chased leaders, outpaced and weakened 4 out, went modest 4th before next
tracked leaders, went 2nd 11th, challenged going well 3 out, led next, soon clear, very easily
tracked leader, led 5th, went left and headed 2 out, soon no chance with winner, finished tired
held up in close 5th, headway into 3rd after 4 out, pushed along and one pace before next, ridden and no impression between last 2
bit keen, tracked leaders, dropped to rear at 4th, rallied chasing leaders when mistake 13th, reached for 4 out, weakened and behind when pulled up before 3 out
NonRunner
Paul Nicholls has farmed this Grade 1 in modern times and CLAN DES OBEAUX bids for back-to-back victories. Kauto Star and Silviniaco Conti have been multiple winners in this recently for the stable and he will be all the better for a pipe-opener in the Champion Chase at Down Royal. He is much respected as there is unlikely to be any hanging around, despite the small field. Cyrname has yet to race beyond 2m5f but his trainer is confident that he’ll have the required stamina to last home around here. An excellent jumper, he ended the unbeaten run of champion two-miler Altior on his reappearance at Ascot, continuing the improvement he made last season when he recorded a first Grade 1 success. Lostintranslation was always travelling strongly when defeating Haydock specialist Bristol De Mai in the Betfair Chase and will likely be rattling home but is more of a stayer. His stable companion Thistlecrack won this in 2016, was fourth 12 months later and second last year. He’s rising 12 but ran very well against Paisley Park on his return to action over hurdles and doesn’t have many miles on the clock. Footpad easily landed the odds stepped up to 2m6f at Thurles but this is a much tougher assignment while Aso’s stamina is suspect and he disappointed last time at Huntingdon.
Aso (FR) 2-1 (11-4) Led early, prominent, jumped left 4th, not fluent and lost 2nd 8th, hit 12th, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 6, 24 1/4l behind Top Notch (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec.
Clan Des Obeaux (FR) 7-4fav (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead from 5th, led after 3 out, joined before next, ridden 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace in 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Road To Respect (11-10) at Down Royal 3m (1) sft in Nov.
Cyrname (FR) 5-2 (11-7) Made all, jumped well, driven 2 out, ran on well, won at Ascot 2m 5f (1) sft in Nov beating Altior (11-7) by 2 1/4l, 3 ran.
Footpad (FR) 4-5fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, closer 8th, slight mistake 3 out and soon led, travelled well next and drew 4 lengths clear before last, kept on well, very easily, won at Thurles 2m 6f lst (1) sft in Nov beating Mala Beach (11-0) by 10l, 5 ran.
Lostintranslation (IRE) 5-4jfav (11-7) Jumped well, patiently ridden, held up off the pace in rear, smooth headway and jumped into 2nd 4 out, poised to challenge next, hit and shaken up after 2 out, led last, ridden out, stayed on well, won at Haydock 3m 2f (1) gs in Nov beating Bristol De Mai (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Thistlecrack 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leading trio, closer in 3rd 7th, 2nd going well before 3 out, every chance next, went 2nd approaching the last, hung left and stayed on run-in, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Paisley Park (11-6) at Newbury 3m (1) gs in Nov.
