chased leaders, lost place before 7th, struggling next, soon well behind, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 7th, held and switched right before 2 out, weakened last
held up and behind, not much room 9th, well beaten when blundered 3 out
mid-division, lost place and not fluent 6th, closed from 9th, held in 4th 2 out, kept on flat
tracked leader, not fluent 3rd, led 7th, headed next, led again 9th, clear last, stayed on well
not that fluent towards rear, behind 8th
led until 7th, led again next, headed 9th, driven after 2 out, no impression on winner last
chased leaders, shaken up after 3 out, 3rd and held 2 out, kept on flat
A high-class renewal of this Grade 1 but POLITOLOGUE showed his victory in the Champion Chase last March, when Bun Doran and Defi Du Seuil were behind, to be no fluke as he won the Tingle Creek at Sandown last month in scintillating fashion on his reappearance – the Nicholls’ grey is the one to beat. Waiting Patiently wasn’t far behind Defi Du Seuil in last season’s Tingle Creek and stayed on into second in last month’s King George so retains plenty of ability. First Flow won a Grade 2 over hurdles but is having a first try at this elevated level over fences. However, he has a terrific strike-rate and is a potential fly in the ointment. Duc Des Genievres won the Arkle in 2019 but hasn’t managed a victory since and looks to have something to find on the form book. Fanion D'Estruval was still travelling when falling three out in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last month but that was over 2m4f and he may lack the speed to go with these.
Bun Doran (IRE) 28-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, effort on inside 3 out, never able to get on terms, weakened last, 5th of 8, 21 3/4l behind Mister Fisher (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
Defi Du Seuil (FR) 6-5fav (11-6) Held up in last, ballooned 1st and landed awkwardly, closed from 9th, 3rd and beaten when tired jump 2 out, pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Duc Des Genievres (FR) 13-2 (11-0) Chased leader from 1st, led 4th, not fluent 4 out mistake 2 out, soon headed, 3rd and held last, 3rd of 6, 8 1/4l behind Nube Negra (11-0) at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Fanion D'estruval (FR) 10-3 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside 12th, every chance when fell 3 out, at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
First Flow (IRE) 11-10fav (11-7) Tracked clear leader, pushed along and closed 3 out, ridden next and looked held, rallied on long run to last, driven to lead gamely towards finish, won at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec beating Eragone (10-0) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Le Patriote (FR) 6-4 (11-5) Close up in third, pushed along briefly 5 out and again after next, headway to press for lead 3 out, challenging when left clear 2 out, eased clear, won at Hereford 2m (3) sft in Dec beating Elixir De Nutz (11-0) by 15l, 5 ran.
Politologue (FR) 11-8fav (11-7) Made all and jumped well, pressed on run to 2 out but quickened, responded well to pressure and stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Dec beating Greaneteen (11-7) by 7l, 5 ran.
Waiting Patiently (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Waited with in rear and raced keenly, steady headway on in 6th and plenty do 3 out, 3rd between last 2, went 2nd at the last and kept on run-in, given too much to do, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Frodon (11-10) at Kempton 3m (1) gs in Dec.
