slight lead until 1st, tracked leader until after 6th, handy 3rd on inside, hit 13th, mistake 3 out, left in lead next, driven and stayed on, headed and not pace of winner inside final 100 yards, lost 2nd final strides
wore hood to post, tracked leaders on inside, slight peck 6th, went 2nd 13th, pushed along before 3 out where every chance, ridden before next where hampered, lost 2nd run-in, went 2nd again final strides, not pace of winner
lined up out wide, tracked leader, led 1st, pushed along and headed 12th, lost 2nd next, chased leaders, weakened before 4 out, tailed off
raced wide in last pair, dropped to rear 2nd, reminders after 11th, hit 13th, poor 5th and driven along home turn, headway chasing leaders before 2 out where left 3rd, closer last, quickened to lead inside final 100 yards
slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, went 2nd after 6th, led 12th, pushed along before 3 out, ridden and 2 lengths ahead when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
off the pace in rear, gained a place 2nd, ridden in 4th after 4 out, soon outpaced and beaten
Allaho has won seven of his last eight starts over fences, including the Ryanair and Punchestown Gold Cup in 2022. He looked a little ring-rusty when landing the odds in a Grade 2 at Clonmel last month so will strip fitter here but BRAVEMANSGAME won the Kauto Star on this card in 2021 and was successful in this race 12 months ago. He hasn’t won since but his second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last season is out of the top drawer and it would be folly to pay too much attention to defeats at Wetherby and Haydock this season as this will have been his target from the outset. Stable companion Frodon was only third last year and may not be the force of old while Shishkin refused to race on his scheduled reappearance at Ascot but did win over 3m last term. Gerri Colombe should not be underestimated as he won three times at the highest level as a novice and improved again to beat Envoi Allen at Down Royal and Hewick is capable on his day, though lacks a recent run.
Allaho (FR) 1-4fav (11-3) Made all, 6 lengths clear halfway, pushed out run-in and kept on well, won at Clonmel 2m 4f (1) hvy in Nov beating Janidil (11-8) by 9l, 3 ran.
Bravemansgame (FR) 8-11fav (11-10) Led until after 6th, challenged 12th, led before 13th, headed 15th, ridden and switched right before 2 out, 2 lengths down last, no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 4, 6 1/2l behind Royale Pagaille (11-10) at Haydock 3m 2f (1) sft in Nov.
Frodon (FR) 5-1 (12-0) Raced wide, tracked leader, led 3rd, headed and switched left before 5th, chased leader until before 9th, chased leaders, hit 15th, went 2nd again 5 out until hit 4 out, battled on gamely to take remote 3rd approaching 2 out, 3rd of 11, 17l behind Blackjack Magic (10-2) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Hewick (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, pecked 3rd, 5th halfway, 4th 3 out and no impression next, no extra early run-in, 14th of 22, 27 1/4l behind Ash Tree Meadow (10-4) at Galway 2m 7f hcp (1) Good - Yielding in Aug.
Shishkin (IRE) 8-13fav (11-10) Reluctant to line up, whipped round start, refused to race, at Ascot 2m 5f (1) gd in Nov.
The Real Whacker (IRE) 13-2 (12-0) Led, headed 5 out, weakened 3 out, pulled up next, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
