prominent, led 2nd, clear after 5th, mistake 11th, headed 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, not fluent 5th, hard ridden and not fluent 3 out, soon no impression
held up in touch, went 2nd before 8th, led 3 out, shaken up and soon in command, easily
always behind
held up mid-division, headway 10th, soon chasing leaders, effort approaching 2 out, battled gamely, no chance with winner
always behind, blundered 10th
held up in touch, under pressure 4 out, stayed on from last, never able to challenge
led until 2nd, remained in touch, mistake 9th, soon under pressure and weakened
behind, not fluent 11th, kept on approaching 2 out, never on terms
Monet's Garden was in receipt of a stone when beating Kauto Star at Aintree in October so, even allowing for the fact that the horse dubbed the extraterrestrial seems to need a trip these days, it's hard to get away from the Gold Cup winner this afternoon. For whatever reason, he didn't travel with his usual fluency at Aintree and some put that down to the trip, add in that this is very much a prep run ahead of Cheltenham then he may be vulnerable. However, he's looked invincible in two runs and, as admirable as many of today's opponents are, it's difficult to see any of them lowering his colours. Monet's Garden and Racing Demon are the two obvious alternatives and Monet's Garden would make most appeal of that pair although track and trip look just about ideal for Racing Demon. The selection's likely to be sent off at prohibitive odds despite the negatives but Kauto Star will be expected to take this before heading to Cheltenham.
Fair Along (GER) 11-8fav (11-10) Chased leader, mistake 7th, not fluent next, ridden when blundered 4 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Pablo Du Charmil (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Howle Hill (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, jumped right and mistake last, stayed on under strong pressure to lead close home, won at Doncaster 2m hcp chs (2) gd beating Lennon (11-6) by a nk, 11 ran.
Kauto Star (FR) 4-6fav (11-10) Held up, headway 12th, led after 14th, soon drew clear, easily, won at Kempton 3m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec beating Our Vic (11-10) by 11l, 7 ran.
Lord Killeshanra (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden and weakened after 11th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Crystal d'Ainay (11-7) at Exeter 2m 7f Grad Ch (2) gs, 10 ran.
Monet's Garden (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, stayed on again approaching last, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Twist Magic (11-7) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Mystical Star (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Prominent, led 3rd to 8th, weakened 11th, 7th of 11, 49l behind Wild Ground (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft.
Racing Demon (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Jumped right, led 4th until 11th, led next, headed after 14th, soon ridden, kept on same pace from 3 out, 4th of 7, 12l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
See You Sometime 16-1 (11-9) Led until 9th, led 12th until 4 out, soon ridden, weakened next, 5th of 10, 26l behind Fundamentalist (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan.
Vodka Bleu (FR) 9-2 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 12th of 15, 49l behind The Tother One (10-9) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft.
