prominent until lost place 8th, behind from 12th
always prominent, niggled along before 2 out, ridden and weakened flat
led, blundered 9th, headed 3 out, ridden after 2 out, led last, headed close home
held up, progress 9th, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead close home
held up in touch, 5th when pulled up after 11th
always prominent, went 2nd 6th, led 3 out, ridden and headed last, weakened towards finish
held up in touch, lost place 9th, ridden and behind after 11th
held up in rear, short-lived effort after 11th
NonRunner
NonRunner
NonRunner
A cracking renewal of the race won 12 months ago by Cyrname. Flying Angel is likely to run at Haydock and Red Indian is also engaged in the same contest and hasn’t raced since April last year. Allysson Monterg has an even longer absence to overcome and has undergone wind surgery since last seen. Espoir De Guye is a fast-improving young chaser and it would be no surprise to see him complete the hat-trick. Kildisart has the class to go close under his big weight and 2-3 around here. Bennys King won at Newbury before finding 3m a shade too far in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby. HAPPY DIVA is as tough as they come and she’s improved again this season. She is 7lb higher than when only third last year but won the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November and went down with all guns blazing behind the equally-tough Lady Buttons at Wetherby. Domaine De L'Isle also arrives in form but Sam's Adventure and Kayf Adventure are struggling to get their heads in front.
Kildisart (IRE) 15-2 (11-6) Held up in last trio, pushed along in rear after 10th, some headway when hit 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 20l behind Regal Encore (10-7) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Happy Diva (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders 2nd at 5th, challenged from 3 out, upsides last, led final 150 yards, stayed on gamely, headed post, 2nd of 7, hd behind Lady Buttons (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 5f lst (1) gs in Dec.
Bennys King (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up, pecked 6th, closed 11th, not fluent next, 3rd and beaten last, weakened flat, 5th of 10, 15 1/4l behind Top Ville Ben (11-11) at Wetherby 3m hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Domaine De L'Isle (FR) 3-1 (11-8) Held up, steady progress 13th, challenged going well 3 out, reminder to lead before last, ridden clear flat, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Sam's Adventure (11-5) by 5 1/2l, 8 ran.
Allysson Monterg (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 15th until before 2 out, 4th and weakening when mistake last, 4th of 6, 18l behind Frodon (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f (1) gs in Jan.
Kayf Adventure 8-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, not fluent 5 out, mistake 4 out, slow and well beaten 3 out, 4th of 7, 12 3/4l behind Tiquer (10-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Sam's Adventure 5-2fav (11-5) Held up, improved 9th, slight lead 3 out, pushed along when hit 2 out, soon ridden and headed, not fluent last, one pace, 2nd of 8, 5 1/2l behind Domaine De L'Isle (11-8) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Aintree My Dream (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Held up, not fluent 2nd, headway approaching 5th, mistake 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 7, 11 1/2l behind Applesandpierres (10-11) at Leicester 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Flying Angel (IRE) 11-4fav (11-3) Prominent until 3rd, chased leaders, mistake 11th (foinavon), struggling 2 out, plugged on from last and went 4th after elbow, 4th of 14, 22l behind Hogan's Height (10-8) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Espoir De Guye (FR) 11-4 (10-11) Chased leaders went 2nd before 3 out, led going well before next, soon clear and stayed on strongly, won at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec beating My Way (10-7) by 10l, 12 ran.
Red Indian 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 4 out, lost place next, soon weakened, 16th of 21, dist behind Aux Ptits Soins (11-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
