midfield, ridden and pressed leader before 2 out, in touch with leaders approaching last where 3rd, kept on same pace run-in
chased leader, not fluent 4th, not fluent 5th, switched left and ridden before 2 out, soon led, briefly pressed for lead approaching last, stayed on well run-in
led, edged left 4th, pressed for lead and ridden before 2 out, soon headed and dropped to last, weakened run-in
held up in rear, headway to press leader before 2 out, soon ridden, wandered around approaching last where every chance, kept on one pace run-in
Nicky Henderson bids to win this for the third time in succession but the unbeaten Doddiethegreat has been off the track since winning at Kempton in 2021 and INTHEWATERSIDE is preferred. The dual bumper winner is also unbeaten having returned to action with a hurdling debut victory at Aintree last month and there is more to come from him. Cloud Dancer won a junior hurdle at Newbury back in February while stablemate Junkanoo has won three times on the Flat and debuts in this code.
Cloud Dancer (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Held up in 4th, closer in 3rd 4 out, pushed along and went 2nd 3 out, led last, ridden and stayed on well run-in, won at Newbury 2m (4) gf in Feb beating Imperial Jade (10-7) by 5 1/2l, 5 ran.
Doddiethegreat (IRE) 1-3fav (10-12) Pulled hard tracking leaders on inside, not fluent 4th, awkward 6th, 2nd approaching 3 out, led on bit before next, clear when ran green and wandered approaching last, stayed on well, won at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov beating Pontresina (10-12) by 22l, 5 ran.
Inthewaterside (FR) 4-7fav (11-4) Took keen hold, prominent, pushed along rounding usual 2 out, ridden inside final furlong, led towards finish, kept on well, won at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (3) gs in Oct beating Jagwar (11-2) by hd, 11 ran.
Junkanoo 9-1 (9-13) Held up in rear, driven over 1f out, stayed on between horses inside final furlong, took 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Khinjani (9-10) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
