led, headed 11f out, tracked leader until led again over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on gamely
close up, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, pushed along 6f out, ridden and weakened 3f out
in rear, ridden 3f out, never on terms
tracked leader, led 11f out, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, dropped to rear 7f out, tailed off
close up, chased winner 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace
in touch, headway 6f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
in rear, ridden and weakened 3f out
Butte Montana’s Cheltenham second could be boosted earlier on today’s card and jockey bookings suggest he’s preferred to stablemate Stoner's Choice, though is probably held by the penalised Israel Champ on collateral form. SOARING GLORY is 2-2 and beat Kid Commando and Bravemansgame fair and square over course and distance last month. The latter possibly has the most scope of the trio but the form can be confirmed on the same terms. Shantou Express beat a subsequent hurdles winner at Stratford in October but will need more in this with a similar comment applying to other previous winners Baddesley and Benson. Motdepas is highly tried on debut.
Israel Champ (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Made all, shaken up and quickened turning in, soon ridden, stayed on well towards stands side rail final furlong, won at Cheltenham 2m lst (1) sft in Nov beating Time Flies By (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Benson 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd and poised to challenge well over 3f out, led inside final 2f, shaken up and drew readily clear over 1f out, in no danger after, easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (5) sft in Nov beating Jetaway Joey (10-12) by 9l, 7 ran.
Bravemansgame (FR) 7-2 (11-0) In touch, outpaced over 3f out, rallied over 2f out, stayed on into 3rd inside final furlong, never a threat, 3rd of 13, 6 3/4l behind Soaring Glory (11-4) at Ascot 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Butte Montana (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway on outside over 3f out, chased leader turning in, ridden to lead narrowly over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 1 3/4l behind Time Flies By (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m (2) hvy in Oct.
Kid Commando 5-4fav (11-4) Led, strongly challenged over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on well, not pace of winner, 2nd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Soaring Glory (11-4) at Ascot 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Motdepas (FR) Davidoff gelding out of Singastar.
Shantou Express (IRE) 5-6fav (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 5f out, led over 1f out, soon clear, stayed on strongly, won at Stratford 2m (4) gs in Oct beating Highway One O Two (10-12) by 9l, 11 ran.
Soaring Glory (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) In touch, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, drew clear final furlong, impressive, won at Ascot 2m (4) sft in Nov beating Kid Commando (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 13 ran.
Stoner's Choice 7-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway over 4f out, outpaced turning in, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never on terms, 5th of 8, 6 1/4l behind Israel Champ (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m lst (1) sft in Nov.
Baddesley (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) In touch, took closer order halfway, chased leaders over 5f out, led over 2f out, ran on strongly, won at Fontwell 2m 2f (5) gd in Oct beating Exod'ela (11-0) by 2l, 8 ran.
