prominent, disputed lead 9th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakening when bad mistake 2 out, well held before last where refused
mid-division, ridden before 3 out, hit 3 out, weakened quickly soon after
in rear, fell 1st
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened quickly 3 out
towards rear, effort and headway 4 out, not fluent 4 out, went into 3rd 3 out, pushed along and pressed leader before 2 out, ridden and not fluent last, kept on but always held
mid-division, lost place and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, pushed along and outpaced 5 out, ridden and plenty to do home turn, stayed on to chase front pair after 2 out, one pace after last, not get on terms
mid-division, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, ridden home turn and kept on one pace
led, headed and tracked after 8th, ridden and weakened before 3 out, pulled up before last
mistake 1st in rear, mid-division 5 out, ridden before 2 out, no impression
prominent, led after 8th, joined 9th, led again after 3 out, strongly pressed before 2 out, soon ridden, not fluent last, stayed on well to assert run-in
mid-division, ridden 15th, chased leaders 3 out, plugged on one pace
in rear, badly hampered by faller 1st, hit 2nd, soon lost touch, pulled up before 5 out
The admirable Regal Encore seeks a third victory in this and the ground may be turning in his favour but he is rising 14. Step Back will enjoy the going but he hasn’t raced in more than a year and is also not getting any younger. Belami Des Pictons was an eye-catcher behind subsequent Becher Chase winner Snow Leopardess at Bangor while Cloth Cap was prominent for a long way when trying to win the Ladbrokes Trophy for a second time at Newbury. The latter had finished ahead of STORM CONTROL (NAP) at Cheltenham previously but Kerry Lee’s charge was unable to assume his usual front-running role that day and lost interest. Annsam is the only other likely pace-setter in this and the eight-year-old may have benefited from another wind operation. Caribean Boy will have stamina to prove but wasn’t disgraced in the Paddy Power and Phoenix Way could also run well at a price.
Cloth Cap (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Led, headed home turn, pushed along before 4 out, gradually faded, 6th of 21, 37 1/4l behind Cloudy Glen (10-8) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Regal Encore (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden and mistake 13th, weakened next, tailed off, 9th of 11, dist behind Final Nudge (10-12) at Warwick 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Caribean Boy (FR) 12-1 (11-6) Mid-division out wide, not fluent 10th (water), towards rear and struggling 12th, never on terms after, 10th of 19, 8 1/4l behind Midnight Shadow (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Step Back (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, slow 9th and 20th, went 2nd 26th until after 3 out, not fluent and weakened next, 6th of 10, 20 1/4l behind Some Neck (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Phoenix Way (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, hit 10th, never involved, 7th of 9, 32 1/2l behind Fanion D'estruval (11-12) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Grand Sancy (FR) 15-2 (11-6) Towards rear, mid-division before 5 out, went 5th 3 out, ridden after 2 out, not fluent last, kept on run-in, 4th of 13, 7 1/4l behind Kapcorse (10-12) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Jerrysback (IRE) 6-1 (10-6) Fell 3rd, at Ascot 3m hcp (1) sft in Oct.
Valtor (FR) 22-1 (11-3) Midfield, hit 10th, outpaced and pushed after 11th, ridden before 4 out, stayed on strongly from 2 out, grabbed 3rd late on, 3rd of 15, 8 3/4l behind Landofsmiles (10-5) at Perth 3m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Storm Control (IRE) 10-3fav (10-7) Held up towards rear, closed from 7th, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Belami Des Pictons (FR) 7-1 (11-0) In rear, headway 7th, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 6l behind Snow Leopardess (11-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Annsam 13-2 (10-8) Led, pushed along and pressed before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, headed last, stayed on, no extra run-in, 3rd of 11, 5 1/4l behind Earlofthecotswolds (10-13) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Checkitout (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Towards rear, effort and headway into mid-division 11th, went into 7th 15th (canal turn), mistake 5 out, ridden in 5th after 3 out, stayed on but not pace to challenge front pair, 3rd of 21, 16l behind Snow Leopardess (10-4) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Dinons (FR) 200-1 (10-12) Not fluent, led until 4 out, weakened from next, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Summerville Boy (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (2) gs in Nov.
