chased leader, not fluent 6th, challenged 7th, led next, jumped left 4 out and 3 out, 4 lengths up when fell 2 out
held up, not fluent 7th, in touch when mistake 13th, ridden when left 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner flat, lost 2nd towards finish, stayed on
in rear, not fluent 4th, mistake 9th (water), mistake 11th, well beaten from 4 out, went 4th after last
chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up, closed 4th, went 2nd 10th, 4 lengths down when left in lead 2 out, jumped right last, 5 lengths clear and edged left flat, idled, driven out
led, headed 8th, gradually lost place, pecked slightly 3 out when looked well held in 5th, left 3rd when rallying 2 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd towards finish, not trouble winner
CHAMP has not been foot-perfect so far over fences but there should be more to come and, though Deyrann de Carjac might get a bit closer than at Newbury on better terms, Nicky Henderson’s novice can complete the hat-trick. Midnight Shadow has been a bit unlucky not to win so far and just got outstayed by Keeper Hill over 2m6f at Haydock last time. His jumping is improving with experience and he makes more appeal than French raider Matfog. Paint The Dream and Garo De Juilley may be out of their depth.
Champ (IRE) 4-5fav (11-1) Left tracking leader 1st, unsighted jumped into back of loose horse and hampered 4th, went left not fluent and lost 2nd 3 out, rallied under pressure last, led run-in and nearly ran off the course at elbow, kept on, won at Newbury 2m 4f (1) gs in Nov beating Black Op (11-1) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Deyrann de Carjac (FR) 16-1 (11-1) Left in 3rd place 1st, went close 2nd 3 out, challenged and reached for 2 out, every chance last, no extra in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 6, 6 1/4l behind Champ (11-1) at Newbury 2m 4f (1) gs in Nov.
Garo De Juilley (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, blundered 6th, headway 13th, mistake 4 out, outpaced from next, well held 4th 2 out, 4th of 6, 24 1/4l behind Mister Fisher (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) sft in Dec.
Matfog (IRE) (10-1) 4th of 6, 7l behind Hell Boy (10-7) at Compiegne 2m 3f hvy in Nov.
Midnight Shadow 15-8 (10-11) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, challenged going well 4 out, led narrowly next, shaken up after 2 out, headed narrowly last, ridden to lead again briefly flat, no extra near finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Keeper Hill (11-8) at Haydock 2m 6f (2) gs in Nov.
Paint The Dream 16-1 (11-2) In touch, headway 12th, chased winner 3 out, ridden and every chance when blundered next, stayed on flat, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Dashing Perk (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
