held up towards rear when ran out and unseated rider at 10th
with leader, led 6 out, headed last, soon rallied, no extra closing stages
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, never able to challenge
led, soon joined, not fluent 2nd, headed 6 out, rallied after 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
held up towards rear, ridden when mistake 10th, soon beaten, tailed off 6 out, behind when pulled up after 3 out
chased leaders, mistake 10th, ridden to challenge after 3 out, led last, hard ridden, all out
in touch, lost place 4th, soon in rear and pushed along, tailed off when swerved left and unseated rider approaching 10th
tracked leaders, weakened after 4 out
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened last
mid-division, slow 6th, weakened 6 out, behind when pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
A fascinating contest with SALUBRIOUS, far from disgraced considering his lack of experience behind Wakanda here last month, fancied to give Paul Nicholls a third straight win ahead of another novice Regal Encore. The latter was much more assured at his fences at Plumpton last time and this longer distance here will be in his favour. Reve De Sivola, thrown in on his hurdles form, will probably be going to Haydock but Royal Regatta was impressive over course and distance five weeks ago, overturning earlier form with Cold March in the process. Bennys Mist gave a superb round of jumping to win the Grand Sefton at Aintree last time but this may be a step too far for Newcastle scorer Bernardelli.
Cold March (FR) 9-2jfav (11-10) Held up in mid-division, ridden and struggling after 7th, not fluent 9th, well beaten after 4 out, ran on flat, no impression, 6th of 13, 22 3/4l behind Pearls Legend (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Royal Regatta (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Chased leader, led after 7th, made rest, clear from 3 out, easily, won at Ascot 2m 5f (2) gs in Dec beating Mala Beach (11-4) by 11l, 6 ran.
Salubrious (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 15th, driven along in 6th before 2 out, faded, 6th of 13, 13l behind Wakanda (11-5) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
Bennys Mist (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, challenged 3rd, led before 5th, headed before 12th (canal turn), led again before 2 out, clear last, stayed on, won at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec beating Seventh Sky (10-12) by 9l, 13 ran.
Regal Encore (IRE) 5-2 (10-13) Jumped well, tracked leading pair, 2nd after 1st, led narrowly 3 out, in command last, came readily clear run-in, won at Plumpton 2m 1f (3) sft in Dec beating Cloonacool (10-13) by 5l, 5 ran.
Dare Me (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) In rear, ridden and headway 12th, weakened 4 out, pulled up 2 out, at Bangor 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Bernardelli (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) In touch on outer, joined leaders 7th, left disputing lead 9th, led narrowly before 3 out, ridden clear after last, kept on, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Carrigdhoun (11-12) by 5l, 7 ran.
Aerlite Supreme (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, brief effort between last 2, no extra flat, 7th of 10, 8 1/4l behind If In Doubt (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Minella Reception (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) In touch, headway 6 out, joined leader next, every chance when fell 3 out, at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Tara Road 6-1 (10-3) Held up, hampered and lost place 12th, blundered 4 out, mistake and well beaten 3 out, pulled up after 2 out, at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Reve De Sivola (FR) 11-4 (11-7) Led, hit 8th, headed 2 out, chased winner, ridden and no impression between last two, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Thistlecrack (11-7) at Ascot 3m (1) gs in Dec.
