tracked leading pair, pushed along to challenge on outside in close 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead between last two, stayed on strongly run-in
always in rear, pushed along and outpaced 6th, struggling and no chance after
mistakes, led and set decent pace, hit 2nd, mistake 7th, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, chased leading pair, soon no impression, well held when blundered last, weakened into 4th run-in
took keen hold very briefly, held up in 4th, headway on outside 8th, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, headed between last two, no impression when switched left before last, one pace run-in
chased leader until 4 out, well outpaced next, went well held 3rd run-in
Former champion Sprinter Sacre makes his long-awaited return but Nicky Henderson will be taking it one race at a time and he'll have to be somewhere near his best to get the better of DODGING BULLETS. Paul Nicholls' youngster showed improved form to beat Somersby in the Tingle Creek last month and may have more to offer now he's proved himself at the highest level. Twinlight sprang a surprise in the Dial-A-Bet at Leopardstown over Christmas and won't be far away with a similar effort but this looks a big ask for Grey Gold meeting these off level weights.
Dodging Bullets 9-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, every chance 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on strongly (1 fence ommited), won at Sandown 2m Grade 1 chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec beating Somersby (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Grey Gold (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up in 6th, pushed along before 9th, headway into 4th before 2 out, disputing well held 2nd between last two, lost 2nd at the last, weakened and lost two places in closing stages, 5th of 10, 28l behind Croco Bay (10-8) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
Somersby (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) With leader, led 4th, mistake 7th, hard pressed from 3 out, headed before last, kept on well, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Dodging Bullets (11-7) at Sandown 2m Grade 1 chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
Sprinter Sacre (FR) 2-9fav (11-10) Held up in last pair, good jump to 2nd at the 5th, soon settled in 3rd, pulled up quickly after 7th, in a race won by Sire De Grugy (11-10) at Kempton 2m Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec '13, 6 ran.
Twinlight (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, progress into 3rd 2 out, travelled well entering straight, ridden into 2nd before last, led last, kept on well under pressure run-in, asserted closing stages, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f chs G1 (1) hvy in Dec beating Hidden Cyclone (11-12) by 5l, 9 ran.
