always prominent, led 14th, strongly challenged from omitted 3 out and throughout run in, kept on under pressure (2 fences omitted)
chased leaders, wet 3rd 4 out, weakened after 2 out, modest 3rd
led, slow 2nd and 4th, headed 14th, soon rallied, every chance from omitted 3 out and throughout run in, stayed on gamely
chased leaders, mistake 13th, effort after 4 out, weakened 2 out, modest 4th
SANTINI won on his reappearance and chasing bow last season and was later third in the Kauto Star at Kempton. He reserved his best for last, however, with a close-up second in the RSA at Cheltenham when Now Mcginty was well beaten. He is being aimed at the Gold Cup this season and will be expected to give 2lb to Talkischeap, who won the bet365 Gold Cup here in the spring. Steely Addition won twice last season but not against chasers of this calibre.
Santini 3-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, stumbled just after 4 out, challenged 3 out, led after next, headed soon after last, stayed on, held towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Topofthegame (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Mar.
Talkischeap (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 14th, 3rd at 19th, 2nd on bit 3 out, led last, soon clear, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr beating The Young Master (10-8) by 10l, 15 ran.
Now Mcginty (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders on inside, lost place 14th, last 4 out, well behind next, 8th of 12, 27 3/4l behind Topofthegame (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Mar.
Steely Addition (IRE) 1-2fav (11-4) Held up, closed before 3rd, not fluent 6th, hit 13th and went 2nd, challenged 2 out, led last, pushed out, won at Hereford 3m 1f (4) gd in Mar beating Station Master (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
