held up in last, effort on inside before 3 out, jumped right and weakened 2 out, remote last when jumped badly right last
tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd after 7th, mistake 11th, lost 2nd 4 out, pushed along before 3 out, awkward and no extra in 4th 2 out, weakened after
raced freely, made all, asserting 2 out, soon easily drew clear, impressive
chased winner until 4th, went 2nd again 4 out, no impression from 2 out, one pace
chased leaders, went 2nd 4th until after 7th, hit next and given reminders, outpaced from 11th, mistake and weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up in 5th, not fluent 9th, switched to outside and closed 4 out, went right and hit 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, no chance with winner, well held when not fluent last
NonRunner
Politologue edged out favourite Min following an epic duel in this last year. Paul Nicholls’ grey came right back to his best at Cheltenham last month when finishing second to Altior in the Champion Chase, with Hell's Kitchen fourth and Min fifth, so a repeat is very much on the cards. But WAITING PATIENTLY races over his optimum trip and he finished ahead of Politologue when second to Cyrname in the Ascot Chase in February. He’s had a light campaign and cheekpieces could help today so Ruth Jefferson’s gelding gets the nod. God's Own was pulled up at Cheltenham after going lame and may be feeling his age but Woodland Opera should have benefited from last month’s run at Navan and Top Notch may do better back over fences, though looks held by the selection on last season’s form.
God's Own (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, slow 5th, headway on outside after 4 out, disputing 4th 2 out, jockey soon looking down and pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Hell's Kitchen 25-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway to chase leaders 3 out, soon not clear run and lost place, effort on outside after 2 out, went 4th when hit last, hung left flat and kept on, no impression on leaders, 4th of 9, 9 1/2l behind Altior (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Min (FR) 7-2 (11-10) Keen early stages, chased leaders, short of room and lost place after 3 out, switched left before last, never able to get back involved, 5th of 9, 11 1/4l behind Altior (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Politologue (FR) 11-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, effort from 3 out, driven and stayed on flat, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Altior (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Top Notch (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Mid-division, not fluent 9th, headway approaching 3 out, chasing leaders 2 out, beaten on last bend, weakened well before last, 15th of 18, dist behind Paisley Park (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
Waiting Patiently (IRE) 11-8fav (11-7) Held up in rear, gained a place at 6th, steady headway tracking leaders 13th, 3rd after 3 out, went 2nd and mistake next, ridden and beaten between last 2, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 17l behind Cyrname (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) gs in Feb.
Woodland Opera (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 3rd, disputed lead 7th, bad mistake and headed next (4 out), dropped to moderate last entering straight, weakened, last of 5, dist behind Darasso (11-5) at Navan 2m (1) sft in Mar.
