jumped slowly 1st and 2nd, led narrowly before next, headed 15th (water), outpaced before 3 out, soon no chance with winner, lost 2nd after next, well beaten
always prominent, led briefly 2nd, led 15th (water), drew clear from 3 out, ridden out flat, kept on
close up on outer, lost place 14th, soon struggling, went modest 4th 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, no chance with leaders
held up in touch, tracked leaders 16th, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, behind from next, tailed off
led to 2nd, pressed leader, lost place 13th, outpaced 16th, behind from 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
held up in touch, tracked leaders 14th, ridden before 3 out, soon outpaced, went 2nd after next, kept on under pressure flat, not reach winner
The remarkable MENORAH (NAP) bids for a fourth successive victory in this Grade 2 and has been laid out for the race again. He goes well fresh so his absence since finishing second to Unowhatimeanharry in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in November is not a problem. The 12-year-old also has his ground again and Richard Johnson in the saddle so should take all the beating. Traffic Fluide has competed at the highest level since winning a couple of novice events in 2015. He could be a danger if following up his latest third at Aintree, though this will be the furthest he’s ever travelled in a race. Josses Hill won the Peterborough Chase in December, beating Tea For Two, but has been well beaten since. Vibrato Valtat has proved very difficult to place and the other pair have a bit to find at the weights.
Josses Hill (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Jumped right, prominent, led 3rd, headed before 9th, driven after 4 out, weakened next, 7th of 9, 32 1/2l behind Fox Norton (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr.
Menorah (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led before 6th, headed 2 out, no extra and lost 2nd place run-in, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Unowhatimeanharry (11-4) at Newbury 3m (1) sft in Nov.
Third Intention (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Mid-divsision, fell 2nd, at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Vibrato Valtat (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, weakened tailed off when mistake 10th, pulled up after next, at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Art Mauresque (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost place before 3 out, well beaten 2 out, 7th of 10, 35 3/4l behind Henryville (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Traffic Fluide (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, pushed along 10th, well held 3 out, went 4th and plugged on from after 2 out, took 3rd close home, no impression, 3rd of 9, 17l behind Fox Norton (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr.
