prominent, slow 3rd, soon lost place, under pressure approaching 4 out, weakened after 2 out
led, mostly jumped left, pressed after 3rd, headed 4 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, driven to challenge 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, led last, ran on well
held up in touch, chased leaders halfway, mistake 11th, not fluent next, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, pressed leader after 3rd, led 4 out, headed last, stayed on same pace
Knockgraffon beat Upsilon Bleu to win last year’s renewal and there’s little between that pair on similar terms today. But MIXBOY (NAP) also won over these fences at this time last year and has now won four of only eight starts over the larger obstacles. He won over timber back in October but isn’t badly treated on his return to chasing and Keith Dalgleish’s charge is fancied to come out best. Forth Bridge is usually thereabouts without winning while Voix D'Eau has struggled since scoring at Southwell in August.
Voix D'Eau (FR) 50-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway 6th, 6th and weakening 2 out, 7th of 11, 19 1/4l behind Warriors Tale (11-12) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Mixboy (FR) 10-3 (10-2) Made all, pressed inside final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct beating Illustrissime (9-2) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Knockgraffon (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Held up well in rear, headway from 15th, mistake 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 5th of 7, 22 1/4l behind Virgilio (11-12) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in May.
Upsilon Bleu (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, led after 4 out (usual 5 out), 4 lengths clear last (usual 2 out), shaken up and headed bypassing omitted last, no extra, well held when lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Cultram Abbey (10-5) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Forth Bridge 5-2jfav (11-7) Raced wide, tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, ridden to chase winner last, challenged flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Militarian (11-12) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
