held up towards rear in main group, close up 7th, 4th and outpaced after 10th, went 3rd approaching 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure from next, no impression with leading pair
in touch main group, behind and outpaced 10th, soon lost touch, tailed off
held up behind in main group, 7th and in touch when fell 8th
in touch main group, 5th and outpaced after 10th, kept on same pace from 2 out, never on terms
in touch main group, close up 7th, switched left to challenge next, upsides when blundered 10th, outpaced approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression with winner before last
tracked clear leader, close up 7th, led narrowly after 10th, driven clear between last 2, stayed on well, well in command flat
led and clear to 7th, headed after 10th, lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Unsurprisingly, reigning champion chaser Sizing Europe is the highest-rated in today's starting line-up but it's a worry that Henry De Bromhead continues to persevere with him over longer trips and he had a very hard race when headed close home by Quito De La Roque over 3m at Down Royal last month. Kauto Stone won a Grade 2 over 2m4f on the same day but may struggle upped in class and dropped in distance against some of these. Tataniano is tried again in this grade after defying a big weight in a Chepstow handicap on his reappearance but he was beaten 10 lengths by recent Cheltenham winner Gauvain at that track just over a year ago, while Ascot scorer I'msingingtheblues has been found out before in this company. WISHFULL THINKING faded under a big weight in the Paddy Power on his return to action and is generally though better over further. However, his bold jumping will have many of these on the stretch and he will stay on up the hill here with no problems. At the likely odds, he could be the value in this.
Cornas (NZ) 16-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led approaching 4 out, soon headed, stayed close up, every chance last, unable to quicken flat, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Medermit (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Fix The Rib (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Took keen hold, led until approaching 4th, chased leader until approaching 4 out, losing place when blundered next, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind I'msingingtheblues (11-9) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Nov.
Gauvain (GER) 2-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, challenged 6th, led 8th, drew clear from 4 out, 12 lengths clear when went left last, easily, won at Cheltenham 2m chs (2) gs in Nov beating Woolcombe Folly (11-4) by 16l, 5 ran.
I'msingingtheblues (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Hampered 1st, held up towards rear, pushed along in 5th and plenty to do after 3 out, rapid headway on outside to challenge before next, led 2 out, came clear before last, kept on strongly, ridden out, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Nov beating Rileyev (10-0) by 4l, 11 ran.
Kauto Stone (FR) 9-4 (11-11) Tracked leaders, improved to lead before 5th, asserted before 2 out, slight mistake last, easily, won at Down Royal 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov beating Roi Du Mee (11-10) by 7l, 5 ran.
Sizing Europe (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Close up and disputed, slight mistake 8th, narrow lead from 9th, disputed from 4 out, narrow lead again 3 out, ridden and mistake 2 out, kept on under pressure from before last, headed close home, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Quito De La Roque (11-10) at Down Royal 3m Grade 1 chs (1) sft in Nov.
Wishfull Thinking 7-2fav (11-6) Prominent, led approaching 4th, hit 8th, headed 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 20, 32l behind Great Endeavour (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov.
Dan Breen (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leading pair until 7th, mistake next, weakened 9th, soon behind, 8th of 11, well behind I'msingingtheblues (11-9) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Nov.
Tataniano (FR) 5-2fav (11-7) Led, challenged 3 out, quickened clear next, pushed out, impressive, won at Chepstow 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Oct beating Nomecheki (10-0) by 8l, 6 ran.
