held up off the pace in 5th, went modest 4th at 7th, plugged on into 3rd run-in, no chance with winner
tracked leader until after 2nd, 2nd again next, led 5th, not fluent when pressed 3 out, soon headed, no chance with winner, lost 2nd at the last, weakened run-in
held up last, never involved
tracked leading trio and always going well, went 3rd at 4th, led soon after 3 out, 5 lengths ahead next, stayed on strongly, impressive
tracked leading pair, 2nd after 2nd until next, not on terms when lost modest 4th 7th, soon beaten
not always fluent, led until 5th, pressed when blundered 3 out and dropped to 3rd, went modest 2nd last, no chance with impressive winner
Paul Nicholls is responsible for half of the six-strong field but former champion Dodging Bullets was well behind SPRINTER SACRE and Un De Sceaux at Cheltenham and handicappers Solar Impulse and Ulck Du Lin look to be well out of their depth. Nicky Henderson's top chaser was back his brilliant best at The Festival and easily picked off Willie Mullins' hot favourite, who wasn't suited by being taken on for the lead. The latter may get his own way out in front today but could still be a sitting duck in the closing stages. Sire De Grugy won this in 2013 and 2014 but is held by the selection on this season's form.
Dodging Bullets 10-1 (11-10) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 1st, closed 4th, not fluent 7th (water), mistake 9th, outpaced after 4 out, well beaten from next, 7th of 10, 26 1/2l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Mar.
Sire De Grugy (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, well beaten 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Sprinter Sacre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Mar.
Solar Impulse (FR) 4-1 (11-10) Prominent, went 4th before 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 7 3/4l behind De Faoithesdream (10-3) at Ayr 2m hcp lst (1) gs in Apr.
Sprinter Sacre (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, close 3rd when not fluent 3 out, soon challenging, led before 2 out, clear when untidy last, about 6 lengths ahead flat, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Mar beating Un De Sceaux (11-10) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Ulck Du Lin (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, headway chasing leaders 7th, went 2nd 2 out, driven and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Ut Majeur Aulmes (11-1) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Un De Sceaux (FR) 4-6fav (11-10) Tracked leader, hit 4th, led after 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon no impression on winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Mar.
