raced centre, held up in 3rd, mistake 9th, ridden and effort approaching bypassed 2 out, soon outpaced when switched right, 4th and tired when mistake last, eased flat
raced centre, held up 4th and last, mistake 7th, close up 10th, outpaced after 2 out (usual 3 out), soon ridden, went 3rd approaching last, stayed on to take 2nd near finish, no impression with winner
raced centre, led, headed narrowly 6th, led again 10th, headed narrowly after 2 out (usual 3 out), 2 lengths down and ridden last, no impression flat, lost 2nd near finish
raced almost alone on inside rail, always prominent, led narrowly 6th to 10th, regained lead after 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden 2 lengths clear last, stayed on well flat
Nonrunner
A select but high-class renewal. Quincy Des Pictons appears outclassed but the other four are all of interest although all have delivered their best form on ground far quicker than the forecast conditions. Ghizao has clearly benefited from a breathing operation in the summer but this is far tougher than the race he easily landed on his Kempton reappearance. Captain Chris receives weight from his prime rivals and has every chance if delivering his best. However, the Hobbs yard are struggling for winners at present and he has become something of an enigmatic performer in recent runs. For Non Stop was massively impressive when blitzing his rivals in the Old Roan Chase but he only receives 4lb from the 2012 Champion Chase winner, FINIAN'S RAINBOW. Nicky Henderson's charge is a wonderfully uncomplicated sort who always runs his race at the top level and followed up his Champion Chase success when easily landing the 2m4f Melling Chase at Aintree. This first run might be the time to take him on but he undoubtedly sets a demanding standard for his rivals to meet and gets the vote.
Finian's Rainbow (IRE) 13-8fav (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, hit 10th, went 2nd after 4 out, challenged 3 out, led after 2 out, pushed out to go clear run-in, won at Aintree 2m 4f chs G1 (1) gd in Apr beating Wishfull Thinking (11-10) by 7l, 8 ran.
For Non Stop (IRE) 4-1fav (10-11) Held up behind, smooth headway 5 out, went 2nd before next, led going well after 3 out, drew readily clear before next, very easily, won at Aintree 2m 4f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct beating Wishfull Thinking (11-10) by 23l, 11 ran.
Ghizao (GER) 4-7fav (11-9) Close up, left in lead 4th, made rest, clear 2 out, heavily eased flat, won at Kempton 2m 4f grad ch (2) gs beating Hell's Bay (11-9) by 33l, 3 ran.
Captain Chris (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, took keen hold, jumped right at times, lost place 12th, rallied from 2 out, went 4th after last, no impression on leaders, 4th of 12, 6l behind Riverside Theatre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar.
Quincy Des Pictons (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, lost place when hit 4 out, soon behind, kept on under pressure approaching last, never near leaders, 7th of 20, 22l behind Hunt Ball (12-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Listed Novice Handicap Chase (0-140) (5yo+) (1) gd in Mar.
