bit keen, held up tracking leaders, left tracking leading pair 3rd, travelling well 3 out, upsides last, ridden to lead run-in, soon comfortably clear
led until fell 3rd (water)
held up in rear, badly hampered on inside and left in 4th place 3rd (water), challenged in close 3rd last, not pace of winner but went 2nd close home
tracked leader, left in lead 3rd (water), headed 4th, chased leader until weakened last
tracking leaders when left in 2nd place 3rd, led next, headed and not pace of winner run-in, lost 2nd close home
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, badly hampered and lost place next, behind before 4th, never going after, outpaced when pecked 3 out, beaten before next
ALTIOR makes his long-awaited return to the track after a series of stops and starts and is impossible to oppose on all-known form. He received a glowing reference from his trainer this week after a piece of work and now needs to score here to confirm he's well and truly back prior to defending his Champion Chase title next month. It's fascinating to see Paul Nicholls come here with Dynamite Dollars - a top novice who has been off the track for over a year. His presence adds further spice to the contest. If there is to be a shock result it may well come from Sceau Royal. He's been pretty close to the Henderson star in the past and will love the better ground.
Altior (IRE) 1-3fav (11-7) Tracked leader, jumped well, driven to challenge approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 3, 2 1/4l behind Cyrname (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) sft in Nov.
Bun Doran (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Jumped well, tracked leader, led 3rd, went left next, came clear from 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec beating Duc Des Genievres (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Sceau Royal (FR) 7-2 (11-6) Waited with in rear, closer in 4th at 7th, headway between horses approaching 3 out, 3rd and one pace between last 2, mistake last, 3rd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Bun Doran (11-0) at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Simply Ned (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, improved to challenge on inner 2 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no extra before last, 4th of 8, 28 1/4l behind A Plus Tard (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Dynamite Dollars (FR) 1-4fav (11-5) Whipped round start but led, slight peck 2 out, good jump to assert last, shaken up and came clear run-in, won at Doncaster 2m (1) gd in Jan beating Ballywood (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Kalashnikov (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Chased leaders, jumped slowly and lost place 3rd mistake 5th, not fluent and well beaten 3 out, 8th of 12, 36 1/2l behind Oldgrangewood (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
