tracked leaders, led 4 out, went left next, pushed clear before 2 out, went left 2 out and last, stayed on strongly, driven out
tracked leaders on inside, outpaced approaching 4 out, rallied next where slightly hampered, went 2nd before 2 out, no impression when lost 2nd at the last, 3rd and one pace run-in
always in rear, never on terms
tracked leader, led approaching 2nd until 6th, chased leader until 8th, chased leaders, weakened 4 out
held up in touch, pushed along after 7th, headway chasing leaders approaching 4 out, pushed along and outpaced after next, ridden in 5th and no impression before 2 out, not fluent last
tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd 8th until before 2 out, chased leading pair, rallied into 2nd again last, kept on run-in, always held
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd, led 6th until 4 out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out
led until approaching 2nd, chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace in 4th, pecked last
held up in touch, headway chasing leaders before 4 out, weakened before next
Sire De Grugy didn't run too badly on reappearance before tiring late on but does not look the force of old. Course and distance winner, Cold March, is one to note now the Venetia Williams team in moving into gear but VANITEUX may well have got in here off a decent mark. A high-class hurdler, his novice chase season culminated in an unseat behind the mighty Douvan at Cheltenham, but he had looked a recruit of real substance prior to that and his trainer will have worked to further refine his chasing technique. This looks a good starting point for the season. Quite By Chance was impressive here last month in a good contest and should be a contender once more despite an 8lb hike for that success.
Sire De Grugy (FR) 20-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, hampered 3rd, mistake 10th, headway 12th, weakened 2 out, last of 7, 19l behind Third Intention (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Vaniteux (FR) 9-4 (11-0) Held up in 5th, smooth headway after 3 out, led approaching 2 out, headed last, one pace run-in, no extra in 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Ptit Zig (11-0) at Sandown 2m 5f lst (1) gd in Apr.
Solar Impulse (FR) 50-1 (11-7) Held up last, never involved, 5th of 6, 23 1/2l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gd in Apr.
Croco Bay (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Led until after 1st, chased leaders, blundered 4th, soon lost place and in rear, struggling 6 out, tailed off, 9th of 11, dist behind Quite By Chance (11-1) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Oct.
Cold March (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, mistake 4th, soon outpaced, rallying when mistake 4 out, weakened next, last of 5, 29 1/2l behind Winter Escape (11-6) at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Feb.
Quite By Chance 8-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, led on bit after 3 out, drew clear before last, ran on strongly, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Oct beating Noche De Reyes (10-8) by 6l, 11 ran.
Upsilon Bleu (FR) 25-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, weakened from next, 8th of 11, 24 1/4l behind Definitly Red (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Dresden (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Mid-division, niggled along 2nd, lost place before 5th, outpaced 7th, well beaten from next, 7th of 8, 29 3/4l behind Sir Valentino (10-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Some Buckle (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 7th, close 2nd when blundered badly 4 out, rider had both legs on one side of the saddle briefly, not recover and pulled up before 3 out, at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
