A pretty competitive renewal but the previously-progressive Domaine De L'Isle has questions to answer having jumped poorly at Ascot. Paul Nicholls has an incredible record in this contest, having sent out the winner in eight of the last 11 runnings. He is mob-handed again this year with Secret Investor, Mont Des Avaloirs and SAN BENEDETO. The latter won 12 months ago and actually carries 2lb less taking into account Bryan Carver’s claim. He looks to have been aimed at the race again. Tiquer is in the veteran stage now but loves it here and could go well at a price. Gala Ball is also something of a course specialist and Bennys King won over a longer trip here in November and was second last time at Ascot. Clondaw Castle was an impressive winner at Warwick recently but this is a big ask for Not Another Muddle on his reappearance, though he goes well fresh.
San Benedeto (FR) 14-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway tracking leaders 5 out, went 3rd 3 out until weakened between last 2, 4th of 12, 16 3/4l behind Oldgrangewood (10-6) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Bags Groove (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Prominent on outside until blundered and dropped to rear 3rd, struggling 5 out, left well behind from next, ridden and plugged on to take modest 4th before last, no chance with leaders, 4th of 6, 30l behind Kalashnikov (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Bennys King (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Led, blundered 9th, headed 3 out, ridden after 2 out, led last, headed close home, 2nd of 8, nk behind Domaine De L'Isle (10-13) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Gala Ball (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Led until 2nd, led 7th, not fluent 10th, headed next, lost place when not much room 3 out, soon beaten, plugged on before last, 4th of 8, 9 1/2l behind Clondaw Castle (11-7) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Domaine De L'Isle (FR) 4-1 (10-13) Bit keen, never that fluent, chased leaders, hit 8th and 10th, hit 16th and weakened, 5th of 8, 35 1/2l behind Ballyoptic (11-10) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) sft in Feb.
Valdez 50-1 (11-0) Held up in 5th, bit closer in 4th 4 out, weakened last, 5th of 6, 13 1/4l behind Native River (11-6) at Newbury 2m 7f (1) gd in Feb.
Mont Des Avaloirs (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Held up last, headway into 3rd at 7th, close 2nd 10th, stumbled badly 13th, led next, ridden and headed before the last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Sussex Ranger (10-6) at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Not Another Muddle 11-8fav (11-12) Mistake 1st, raced keenly in rear, went 3rd at 4th, not fluent next, not much room on inside after 10th, chased leader after 4 out, led after next, soon ridden, headed flat, no extra near finish, 2nd of 4, 1l behind Romain De Senam (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Drumcliff (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Waited with, 10th from 9th, no impression from 4 out, 9th of 16, dist behind Cabaret Queen (9-12) at Limerick 3m hcp hvy in Oct.
Tiquer (FR) 16-1 (10-7) In touch, went 2nd 4 out, led next, clear last, stayed on, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec beating Springtown Lake (11-3) by 3 3/4l, 7 ran.
Enrichissant (FR) 5-2fav (11-12) Witch leader, led 4th, made rest, came clear going well before 2 out, very easily, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Feb beating Fiddlers Bow (12-1) by 18l, 8 ran.
Secret Investor 8-1 (11-3) Raced on inside, tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 12th, hit 2 out, never able to challenge, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Native River (11-6) at Newbury 2m 7f (1) gd in Feb.
Clondaw Castle (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway before 11th, challenging when not fluent 2 out, led before last, ridden clear flat, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Feb beating Two Taffs (11-7) by 4 1/4l, 8 ran.
