held up, not fluent 3rd, headway 3 out, ridden and one pace after 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, headway on outside approaching 5th, jumped slowly 7th, jumped slowly and lost place 8th, switched to inside approaching 9th, weakened approaching 3 out
in touch, hit 7th, disputing 1 length 3rd when fell 2 out
in rear, driven along from 8th, headway from 3 out, slightly hampered 2 out, stayed on same pace from last
chased leaders, went 2nd briefly 4th, hit 5th and 7th, joined leader 8th, wandered and losing place when not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, took closer order 6th, went 2nd 3 out, not fluent 2 out, ridden to lead before last, ran on strongly flat
behind when mistake 1st, jumped left 2nd, soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up before 6th
chased leaders, lost place from 8th, progress from 3 out, left 4 lengths 3rd when hampered 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd flat, not trouble winner
held up towards rear, ridden after 8th, soon struggling, well behind 3 out
led, hit 5th, headed briefly 6th, ridden and headed when went left last, no impression, lost 2nd flat
took keen hold towards rear, headway 8th, jumped slowly 9th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 7th, disputing 1 length 3rd when fell 2 out
chased leader, jumped right 5th, led briefly 6th, not fluent 7th, lost 2nd 8th, weakened after 4 out, blundered badly 3 out
Five-year-olds have a good recent record in this event, and hopes are high that Fair Along can add to the tally at the expense of My Way De Solzen, and Don't Push It. This year's renewal lacks the strength in depth of past runnings when the likes of Azertyuiop and Moscow Flyer caught the public's imagination, but it still promises to throw up an intriguing clash between the first two mentioned. Last year's Triumph Hurdle runner-up Fair Along burst to prominence on his chase debut over the course-and-distance in October, having too much toe up the hill for Natal, and then dished out the same treatment to My Way De Solzen in the Grade 2 Henry VIII Chase at Sandown in December. Granted, he was in receipt of 9lb from his main rival that day, and the latter is now 4lb better off, but even so, Alan King's charge may struggle to turn the tables, especially if the ground dries out. Obviously if it does rain significantly, then My Way De Solzen will be more fancied to emulate stablemate Voy Por Ustedes, successful here 12 months ago. However, stamina is very much the key to this fellow, as he proved when landing last year's World Hurdle, and although connections keep stressing that he has the speed to win here, we have to favour the nippier Fair Along. Don't Push It falls into the same category as My Way De Solzen in our eyes, having given Denman a fright before beating Mr Pointment over 2m 5f here next time. Again, if if does turn into a slog, he will come very much into his own. The dark horse could well be Jack the Giant who has come on in leaps and bounds since his Flat days with Barry Hills. Successful on each of his three outings over fences, including a Grade 2 at Kempton, he bids to join Remittance Man and Travado, sent out from Seven Barrows to land the spoils in the past. If it dries up, he should be strongly considered, while Lennon, unbeaten over fences so far, and 2005 Triumph Hurdle runner-up Faasel, from the stable that sent out Monets Garden to be second in this 12 months ago, can also run with credit. However, we return to Fair Along as the answer.
Another Promise (IRE) 8-11fav (11-7) Chased leader, disputed 6th, driven to lead last, stayed on, won at Huntingdon 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan beating Rasharrow (11-3) by 1l, 5 ran.
Buena Vista (IRE) 8-15fav (11-12) Held up, went 2nd 6th, led 3 out, ridden after 2 out, driven out, won at Hereford 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Jan beating Chief Yeoman (11-2) by a shd, 4 ran.
Don't Push It (IRE) 3-10fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Chepstow 2m nov chs (3) sft in Feb beating Phar Bleu (11-6) by 23l, 4 ran.
Faasel (IRE) 8-11fav (11-2) Held up, headway 11th, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan beating Euro American (11-2) by 8l, 10 ran.
Lennon (IRE) 4-9fav (11-12) Made all, clear from 5 out, won at Catterick 2m nov chs (3) gs in Dec beating Kingkohler (11-2) by 9l, 10 ran.
My Way de Solzen (FR) 1-6fav (11-9) Made all, easily, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan beating Regal Heights (11-2) by 17l, 4 ran.
Vintage Treasure (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Always in rear, no extra from before 2 out, 6th of 7, 28l behind Schindlers Hunt (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grd 1 (1) sft in Jan.
Fair Along (GER) 2-5fav (11-3) Made all, not fluent 8th, left clear after 11th, kept on strongly, eased flat, won at Newbury 2m 2f nov chs (3) gs in Dec beating Killaghy Castle (11-10) by a distance, 4 ran.
Good Spirit (FR) 7-2 (10-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 10th, led 4 out, strongly pressed and narrowly headed after 2 out, stayed challenging but held before last, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Natal (11-7) at Kempton 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Jack The Giant (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, led 6th to next, blundered and lost place 8th, rallied 3 out, challenge and mistake next, driven to lead last, drew clear flat, won at Kempton 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec beating Twist Magic (10-13) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Tidal Fury (IRE) 8-11fav (11-4) With leader, led approaching 5th, clear from 7th, unchallenged, won at Southwell 2m nov chs (3) sft in Jan beating Archie Babe (11-8) by a distance, 6 ran.
Twist Magic (FR) 11-8fav (10-13) Tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd at 5th, led 7th, ridden 4 lengths clear 3 out, joined and blundered 2 out, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Jack The Giant (10-13) at Kempton 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Gemini Lucy (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed before last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 5, 12l behind Nickname (11-12) at Naas 2m chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
