chased leaders, went 2nd before 3rd and clear of rest, pushed along before 2 out, no impression when lost 2nd between last 2, weakened run-in
off the pace in 5th, plugged on in 4th between last 2
led, mistake 5th, kept on gamely, 2 lengths ahead 2 out, headed and no extra final 100 yards
raced wide, off the pace in mid-division, lost place 6th, blundered next, soon behind, tailed off when blundered 4 out
chased leader until before 3rd, chased leaders, weakened before 2 out
off the pace in mid-division, weakened 4 out
always in rear, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
off the pace in 6th on inside, closer 8th, weakened on long run before 2 out, blundered 2 out, soon pulled up
held up off the pace towards rear, some headway before 4 out, soon beaten
towards rear, some headway before 2 out, plugged on
chased clear leading pair, weakened 9th, tailed off
held up off the pace towards rear on inside, headway went 2nd between last 2, switched left and closed run-in, led final 100 yards
took keen hold in last pair, headway approaching 2 out, kept on into never nearer 3rd run-in
MODUS, one of three Paul Nicholls entries, easily won a Grade 2 at Wincanton at this time a year ago and his last two starts were at the highest level. He reappeared at Cheltenham last month and produced a battling performance under Barry Geraghty and a 4lb rise doesn't look harsh. Theinval took a long time to warm to his task last season but ended by landing a Listed handicap at Ayr in April for which he's up 6lb. Duke Of Navan was 6l behind in that latter event but was having his first start since January and should be capable of closing the gap. Speredek has a strike-rate of 7-20 and one of his defeats came in the Grade 1 Clarence House Stakes here when runner-up to Un De Sceaux. Ozzie The Oscar couldn't quite contain God's Own in the Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter, when San Benedeto was 7l behind, but that was a fine effort and he can carry his big weight with distinction. Cyrname, another of the Nicholls entries and a dual Grade 2 novice chase winner last season, will be better for his reappearance at Carlisle where he led for most of the way before fading.
Ozzie The Oscar (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) Led, headed briefly 4 out, soon hard pressed, ridden between last 2, headed narrowly flat, kept on, held near finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind God's Own (11-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
San Benedeto (FR) 5-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders in 4th, effort 4 out, every chance 2 out, driven and not quicken before last, soon ridden, no impression with front pair flat, 3rd of 5, 7 1/2l behind God's Own (11-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Speredek (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, led 5 out, ridden and headed entering straight, weakened, 8th of 24, 20 3/4l behind Cadmium (10-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Modus 4-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear on outside, closed from 6th, mistake 4 out, not fluent 3 out, 2nd before last bend, led 2 out, headed flat, rallied to lead again last strides, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Duke Of Navan (11-7) by hd, 7 ran.
Cyrname (FR) Evensfav (11-8) Led, headed approaching 2 out, soon rallied, every chance last, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 5, 4 1/4l behind Mister Whitaker (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f lst (1) gd in Nov.
Theinval (FR) 3-1fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway after 9th, close up when mistake 4 out, challenged last, soon led, driven out, won at Ayr 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Apr beating Dolos (11-5) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Duke Of Navan (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, keen early, headway on inside 3 out, challenged before last, led flat, headed last strides, 2nd of 7, hd behind Modus (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Valdez 25-1 (11-7) Hampered 2nd, behind when jinked right and unseated rider next, at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
One For Billy 7-2 (11-10) Held up, went 3rd 8th, closed after 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, trying to challenge when ran out flat (went through tape dolling off run-in to rest of course), at Cheltenham 2m (2) gd in Oct.
Champagne At Tara 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leader, mistake 3rd, slow 6th, mistake next, driven to challenge 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, kept on under pressure closing stages, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Vosne Romanee (11-12) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Nov.
Gardefort (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Chased leaders on outside, challenged 3 out until awkward 2 out, one pace and beaten in 4th flat, 4th of 12, 10 1/2l behind On Tour (10-11) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Caid Du Lin (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, chased leaders 11th, hard driven to challenge 2 out, kept on under pressure closing stages, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 7, 18l behind Wenyerreadyfreddie (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Marracudja (FR) 20-1 (10-10) Always in rear, 6th of 9, 17 1/4l behind Charbel (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
