held up towards rear, effort on inside 3 out, never able to get on terms, weakened last
chased leaders, gradually dropped back through field from 2nd, niggled along after 6th, not fluent next, tried to close before 2 out but no impression and well beaten when jumped left last
led, headed before 2nd, chased leader until 8th, mistake 12th, led before 2 out, pressed 150 yards out, stayed on well, in command final 75 yards
held up, slow 12th, hampered 3 out, headway before 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, no extra final 75 yards
tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th, led 3 out, headed before next, weakened flat
held up in rear, headway on outside 12th, every chance when fell 3 out
led before 2nd, headed 3 out, soon beaten
held up, headway 6th, not fluent next, close up when mistake 3 out, 2nd from next, pressing winner 150 yards out, held final 75 yards, kept on
This Grade 2 has taken on a different complexion having been rerouted from Huntingdon. It is probably to the detriment of last year’s winner Top Notch, though he did finish second in the Golden Miller over these fences in 2017. Kalashnikov is arguably the pick of the weights and an additional entry after the race was reopened. He had a pipe-opener over hurdles last month and is a former Champion Hurdle runner-up. Clondaw Castle is elevated from handicaps but has continued where he left off last season and is a stronger stayer than Dolos. Glen Forsa has been hard to train but has undoubted ability but FANION D’ESTRUVAL made a positive reappearance over 2m here and, only five, should have plenty more to offer.
Bun Doran (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 3rd 4 out until approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, dist behind Greaneteen (11-3) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Top Notch (FR) 11-10fav (11-6) Tracked winner until 3rd, went 2nd again 11th, pushed along before 3 out, hit next, ridden between last 2, lost 2nd soon after, no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 5, 8 1/4l behind Frodon (11-6) at Kempton 2m 4f (1) gs in Jan.
Mister Fisher (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Mid-division, not fluent 8th, headway 11th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Clondaw Castle (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, took closer order 10th, switched left to challenge 3 out, ridden before last, left in lead last, ran on well flat, won at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Nov beating Gala Ball (11-4) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Dolos (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Midfield, ridden and reminders 3 out, switched right and pushed along 2 out, kept on at one pace after next, 4th of 13, 9 1/2l behind Rouge Vif (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Fanion D'estruval (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, challenged after 3 out, pecked last, held flat, kept on, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Magic Saint (12-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Glen Forsa (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Chased leader until after 4th, lost place after 8th, remote 7th 4 out, fell 2 out, at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Kalashnikov (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, steady headway into midfield 6th, ridden after 4 out, switched wide and close up 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 17, 13 1/4l behind Main Fact (11-4) at Haydock 3m hcp (1) sft in Nov.
