tracked leaders, went 2nd after 11th, driven and outpaced 2 out, 5 lengths down last, ridden and kept on flat, no impression
led 1st to 5th, tracked winner, lost place and dropped to rear after 11th, headway under pressure at bypassed 3 out, weakened before last
joined leader 2nd, led 5th, made rest, driven 2 out, 5 lengths clear last, pushed out
held up last, in touch, mistake 9th, effort on outside 5 out, ridden at bypassed 3 out, no impression approaching next, soon weakened
held up in touch when fell heavily 5th
led to 1st, tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure flat, no impression
Disappointingly just the six runners line up for this grade 1 contest won 12 months ago by Voy Por Ustedes but there is plenty of quality among the sextet including Albertas Run, Monet's Garden and Planet of Sound but, given the great record that Paul Nicholls has in big races on a Saturday, it may be worth siding with HERECOMESTHETRUTH. The eight-year-old looked held by Deep Purple when unseating Christian Williams at the last in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon last time but his earlier defeat of Forpadydeplasterer at Down Royal reads well as does his form as a novice last term and Herecomesthetruth can bounce back to winning ways. Alan King's Oh Crick was well held behind the selection's stable companion, Twist Magic, here last month and may have to settle for minor honours, while Bob Buckler's The Sawyer has been in good form having won his last two starts but needs to improve to trouble the judge. Jonjo O'Neill's Albertas Run is more than capable of taking a hand here but the 2008 RSA winner is probably better over further, although he does strictly have the beating of Monet's Garden on their running here in November but the 12-year-old can never be discounted and Nicky Richards has his runners in better form now than when he was last seen. Last season's Arkle third, Planet of Sound, has carried on progressing this term and followed a good success in Exeter's Haldon Gold Cup with a narrow defeat by Albertas Run in that race here in November. He has solid claims as does his conqueror there but for the vote we side with Herecomesthetruth.
Albertas Run (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Behind, pushed along 10th, soon beaten, 6th of 13, well behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m Grade 1 chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Herecomesthetruth (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, in 2nd and looking one pace when blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by Deep Purple (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec, 7 ran.
Monet's Garden (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Led until 10th, chased leaders after, lost place 4 out, 6th of 8, 32l behind Albertas Run (11-1) at Ascot 2m 3f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Nov.
Oh Crick (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Held up, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure from next, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Twist Magic (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f Grade 1 chs (1) sft in Jan.
Planet of Sound 10-3fav (11-7) Held up mid-division, mistake 9th, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Albertas Run (11-1) at Ascot 2m 3f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Nov.
The Sawyer (BEL) 11-2 (10-0) Jumped well, made all, joined 2 out, pushed along and strongly pressed last, stayed on very gamely to assert final 100 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Jan beating Private Be (10-9) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
