tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace
jumped well, always prominent, led 9th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on gamely, driven out
held up, hit 8th and 13th, effort when hit 3 out, soon weakened
always struggling to go pace, never fluent, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
prominent early, chased leaders from 5th, ridden after 4 out, weakened after next
held up, headway 11th, hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before 2 out
led, not fluent and headed 9th, ridden 12th, soon beaten, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out
held up, headway 13th, challenged 3 out until 2 out, held by winner approaching last, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish
in touch until lost place 8th, struggling and lot to do under pressure 4 out, ran on approaching last, went 4th near finish
close up, disputing close 2nd when blundered 4 out, every chance briefly 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on final 100 yards to regain 2nd
He may not be the biggest price but will be many people's idea of a banker and VOY POR USTEDES has our confidence ahead of Tidal Bay and Imperial Commander. Voy Por has been a terrific servant for Alan King and of course took the Champion Chase here in 2007. He would have bolstered his CV further this year had Master Minded not been around and he ran a good race despite not getting the trip in the King George. He got back to winning ways in fine style destroying the Ascot Chase field and had he taken his chance in the Champion Chase again he would have placed so in this lesser company he should score with style. Imperial Commander was three further places back in the King George, which was his last appearance. He beat Gold Cup bound Barbers Shop over course and distance in November but you feel he'll have to really improve to score. Last year's Arkle winner Tidal Bay hasn't hit those heights this season but on best form is in with a chance. A career best for Monet's Garden would mean the grey could be decent value for a place but it's hard to see anything beating Voy Por Ustedes.
Gwanako (FR) 3-1 (11-7) Patiently ridden in 4th, tracked leading pair 6th, went 2nd and closed after 2 out, soon ridden, readily held by winner, 2nd of 4, 14l behind Voy Por Ustedes (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f chs Grd 1 (1) hvy in Feb.
Imperial Commander (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 9th, led 14th, ridden and headed well before 3 out, where blundered and weakened, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Dec.
Knight Legend (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, led after 3rd, mistake and headed 3 out, ridden in 5th and no extra entering straight, kept on one pace, 5th of 8, 28l behind Cailin Alainn (10-12) at Thurles 2m 4f chs Grd 2 hvy in Jan.
L'Antartique (FR) 80-1 (11-7) Tended to jump left throughout, always rear, well outpaced when hit 7th, never in contention after, 5th of 7, well behind Master Minded (11-7) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Mister McGoldrick 12-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, took closer order 6th, weakened approaching last, 5th of 14, 8l behind Oscardeal (10-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Feb.
Monet's Garden (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) In touch, ridden approaching 2 out, challenged last, driven to lead flat, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec beating Snoopy Loopy (11-10) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Our Vic (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th, led and jumped left 10th, headed 14th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Dec, 10 ran.
Schindlers Hunt (IRE) 6-4jt-fav (11-4) Led early, headed before 2nd, led again 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Carthalawn (11-4) at Naas 2m chs Grd 2 sft in Feb.
Tidal Bay (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Close up, blundered badly 2nd and lost place, headway to dispute 2nd 8th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 8, 21l behind Joe Lively (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Voy Por Ustedes (FR) 6-5fav (11-7) Jumped well and always travelling, tracked leaders 2nd, led 13th, made rest, in command, unchallenged after 2 out, easily, won at Ascot 2m 5f chs Grd 1 (1) hvy in Feb beating Gwanako (11-7) by 14l, 4 ran.
