Kauto Star is bidding for an unprecedented fifth triumph in this race and is clearly the one to beat again, even though supporters can probably expect a couple of heart-stopping moments en route. McCoy's presence in the saddle is hardly a negative but he is going to go off a short price and there may be more value in backing a less exposed type like SIZING EUROPE. Henry De Bromhead is adamant his charge will stay 3m around here and he travelled really strongly until the second-last when runner-up to Kauto Star at Down Royal last month. Forpadydeplasterer and Riverside Theatre are others whose stamina has to be proved but the latter won easily over 2m5f here on his reappearance, albeit in lesser company. If the several front-runners in the race go off too quickly, Long Run's ability to stay further could come into play and he was far from disgraced on his return to action at Cheltenham.
Albertas Run (IRE) 9-4 (11-11) Tracked leader 2nd, narrow lead from 5th, pressed by winner from 11th, mistake 4 out, joined and pushed along when fell heavily 3 out, in a race won by Master Minded (11-11) at Ascot 2m 3f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov, 6 ran.
Forpadydeplasterer (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Raced wide, held up in 6th, headway to chase leaders 6th, went 2nd before upsides and every chance when hit 3 out, led 2 out, headed and not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Gauvain (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m chs (2) gs in Nov.
Kauto Star (FR) 4-7fav (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, close up 5 out, pushed along in 2nd approaching 3 out, led 3 out, ridden before next, kept on strongly from last, won at Down Royal 3m chs G1 (1) sft in Nov beating Sizing Europe (11-10) by 4l, 7 ran.
Long Run (FR) 2-1fav (11-1) In touch, not fluent 7th, driven to challenge when mistake 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 18, 5l behind Little Josh (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov.
Madison Du Berlais (FR) 16-1 (10-1) Took keen hold, in touch when fell 4th, in a race won by Diamond Harry (10-0) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Nacarat (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Disputed 2nd, led narrowly 10th, headed 12th, chased winner, outpaced 3 out, soon no impression, lost 2nd last, no extra, 4th of 7, 12l behind Imperial Commander (11-7) at Haydock 3m chs G1 (1) gs in Nov.
Ollie Magern 20-1 (11-4) Headway to lead 4th, headed 8th, not fluent next, weakened after 4 out, 4th of 7, well behind Tartak (11-0) at Newbury 2m 4f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gd.
Planet of Sound 17-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, tracked leading pair 5 out, driven and outpaced after next, kept on under pressure from 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Imperial Commander (11-7) at Haydock 3m chs G1 (1) gs in Nov.
Riverside Theatre 6-4fav (11-9) Tracked leading pair, headway 4 out, led before next, drew readily clear from next, very easily, won at Kempton 2m 4f grad ch (2) gd in Nov beating Free World (11-6) by 9l, 6 ran.
Sizing Europe (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Slow 1st and 2nd, tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway in 3rd travelling well 4 out, ridden 3 out, no impression on leader in 2nd approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, just held 2nd run-in, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Down Royal 3m chs G1 (1) sft in Nov.
The Nightingale (FR) 3-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, travelled well to challenge 3 out, led before next, ridden and kept on strongly from before last, won at Down Royal 2m 4f chs G2 (1) sft in Nov beating Roberto Goldback (11-10) by 11l, 7 ran.
