tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4th (water), led going well 2 out, in command when went left last, stayed on strongly
held up in last pair, not fluent 16th, went modest 4th 3 out until weakened last
never that fluent and several slow jumps, always behind, weakened 14th, tailed off when mistake 17th, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leading trio, 3rd after 4 out, went 2nd before the last, stayed on same pace run-in
raced wide, chased leader until 4th (water), chased leading pair until outpaced after 4 out, ridden and struggling before next, rallied last, stayed on run-in, almost snatched 3rd
jumped well although to the left, led, ridden after 3 out, headed next, lost 2nd approaching last, weakened run-in, just held on for 3rd
Three trainers have two runners each in this and the prize money should be shared around. Double Shuffle is the highest rated of these but failed to run up to the form of his King George second at Aintree last time and was beaten eight lengths by TOP NOTCH in this grade at Ascot in November. Nicky Henderson’s charge is only 3lb worse off so should confirm the form if bouncing back from a slightly below par effort in a Grade 1 last time. Art Mauresque was pulled up here 12 months ago and probably falls short of the standard required to win a race like this. The others have plenty to find at the weights.
Top Notch (FR) 9-4 (11-7) Held up in 5th on inside, not fluent 1st, hit 10th and rider lost iron briefly, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 7, 20 1/4l behind Waiting Patiently (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb.
Alcala (FR) 7-4fav (11-11) Held up in touch, headway and close up on outside 8th, driven and outpaced by front trio before 2 out, soon ridden, well held before last, 4th of 6, 12 3/4l behind Double Treasure (11-11) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gd in Oct.
Sadler's Risk (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division on inner, 10th 4 out, ridden and no impression from next, 12th of 22, dist behind Balko Des Flos (10-10) at Galway 2m 7f hcp gd in Aug.
Art Mauresque (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Prominent, led 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, held when lost 3rd flat, 4th of 15, 9l behind Master Dee (11-5) at Kempton 3m hcp (1) gd in Feb.
Double Shuffle (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, pushed along before 5 out, soon lost place, 7th of 8, dist behind Might Bite (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
O O Seven (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) In touch, dropped to mid-division 4th (water), behind from 8th, pulled up before 10th (bechers), at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Apr.
