led, keen and soon 5 lengths clear, mistake 3rd, not fluent 4 out, strongly challenged 3 out, headed after next, kept on well under pressure
tracked clear leader, jumped slowly 4th and 5th, rallied 4 out, effort 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on well towards finish
held up in rear but in touch, jumped well, took closer order halfway, chased leaders after 4 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, ran on closing stages, always held
tracked clear leader, jumped well, every chance 3 out, led after next, soon challenged, ran on well and always in command
held up in rear but in touch, under pressure after 3 out, soon outpaced
chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, weakening when fell last
NonRunner
FOX NORTON is the one to beat in this. A dual Grade 1 winner over fences, Colin Tizzard’s chaser continued where he left off last year when making short work of Cloudy Dreams to win a Grade 2 chase at Cheltenham on his return. Politologue also made a winning reappearance in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter when beating San Benedeto and can confirm running on better terms. He looks the main threat given Ar Mad was pulled up in the Haldon and could only manage fourth in this last year ahead of Sir Valentino. The latter returned to form with a handicap success at Ascot last month but Charbel will only take part if the ground doesn’t deteriorate and is also engaged at Huntingdon on Sunday.
Ar Mad (FR) 15-2 (11-10) Close up on inside, lost place 6th, weakened 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Charbel (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, slow 3rd, mistake 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 7, 10 3/4l behind London Prize (10-9) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Fox Norton (FR) 4-5fav (11-6) Tracked leader, led after 3 out, drew clear between last 2, ridden out flat, comfortably, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Nov beating Cloudy Dream (11-3) by 8l, 5 ran.
Politologue (FR) 5-2fav (11-2) Always prominent, went 2nd after 6th, led before 4 out, 4 lengths clear last, ridden and idled flat, held on, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (1) sft in Nov beating San Benedeto (11-3) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
San Benedeto (FR) 2-1fav (11-4) Took keen hold, chased leading pair, 2nd 4 out, every chance 2 out, ridden and held before last, lost 2nd run-in, kept on same pace in 3rd, 4th of 8, 2l behind Sir Valentino (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Sir Valentino (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, pushed along and slightly outpaced 5th, rallied on outside 4 out 3rd after 3 out, led before 2 out, driven out, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Nov beating Cepage (10-0) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Ordinary World (IRE) 3-1 (11-1) Tracked leader disputing 2nd, 3rd 4 out, progress on outer into close 3rd 2 out, ridden in 2nd approaching last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Ball D'arc (11-10) at Naas 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
