not fluent, held up in last pair, dropped to last at 5th, mistake 8th, blundered and pulled up 10th
led and set good pace, headed after 7th, led again after 11th, ridden and headed approaching last, short of room on inside switched left and battled on gamely run-in
chased leader until after 6th, chased leading pair, 2nd again 13th until 3 out, mistake and weakened next
raced wide, chased leading pair, 2nd after 6th, led after next, blundered 8th, headed after 11th, chased leader until 13th, weakening when mistake 4 out, tailed off and pulled up after 2 out
held up in 5th on inside, not fluent 1st, hit 10th and rider lost iron briefly, weakened after 3 out
off the pace in 4th, weakened 10th, behind and no chance after
patiently ridden in last pair, not fluent 6th, headway into 2nd 3 out, rider delayed challenge until produced to lead approaching and hit last, clear when hung right and idled run-in, stayed on
Cue Card is bidding for a third victory in this Grade 1. He’s won over £1million in prize money but he is 12 now and, though reunited with Paddy Brennan, this season’s efforts suggest he’s not the force of old. Speredek surpassed himself in the Clarence House here last month but he and Traffic Fluide have plenty to find at the weights in this. According to the handicapper, only 3lb separates the first five in the betting so TOP NOTCH (NAP) may not offer much in the way of value but he’s three from three around here and has won both starts this season with something in hand. Waiting Patiently is having his first run at the highest level but he’s unbeaten over fences and worthy of his place. He’s unlikely to go down without a fight while Coney Island had smart form last season and Eddie Harty sent him over for a sighter here in December when he easily beat a couple of useful rivals. Frodon turned a Grade 3 handicap into a procession at Cheltenham three weeks ago but was beaten 10 lengths by the selection here in November and is only a pound better off.
Coney Island (IRE) 11-8 (11-7) Held up last, not fluent 9th, blundered 10th and given time to recover, went 2nd soon after 4 out, plenty to next, closed quickly to lead 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Ascot 2m 5f (2) gs in Dec beating Adrien Du Pont (10-10) by 9l, 3 ran.
Cue Card 2-1 (11-7) Tracked front pair, disputed 2nd before 7th, not fluent 5 out, soon driven to chase clear and easy winner, never able to challenge, well beaten 3rd 3 out, plugged on to regain poor 2nd after last, 2nd of 6, dist behind Bristol De Mai (11-7) at Haydock 3m 2f (1) hvy in Nov.
Frodon (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, smooth headway on inside to lead before 2 out, clear between last 2, pushed out, impressive, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Jan beating Shantou Flyer (11-11) by 17l, 14 ran.
Speredek (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Led and went clear 2nd, mistake 6th, reached for 4 out, reduced lead next, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd, left 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Un De Sceaux (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f (1) sft in Jan.
Top Notch (FR) 4-9fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, took closer order 7th, every chance 3 out, led approaching next, ran on well, won at Taunton 2m 6f (1) sft in Dec beating Josses Hill (11-6) by 3 1/4l, 4 ran.
Traffic Fluide (FR) 66-1 (11-10) In rear struggling halfway, lost touch 6 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Might Bite (11-10) at Kempton 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Waiting Patiently (IRE) 13-8fav (11-4) Waited with in 5th place, smooth headway on inside before 3 out, 2nd going well before 2 out, led 2 out, quickened clear before last, impressive, won at Kempton 2m 4f lst (1) gs in Jan beating Art Mauresque (11-0) by 8l, 6 ran.
