held up in touch in rear, headway on inside approaching 3 out, pressing for 2nd when not fluent and lost place 2 out, not much room briefly on bend before last, no impression on leaders after
held up in touch in rear, headway on outside after 6th, ridden after 3 out, outpaced after next, no impression on leaders before last
with leader, led 2nd, headed after 4th, led again 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, stayed on same pace flat, no impression on front pair
tracked leaders, not fluent and lost several places 2nd, closed 5th, ridden and every chance when edged left before last, stayed on flat, no impression on winner
tracked leaders, went 2nd briefly 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, weakened flat
tracked leaders, led before last, driven clear flat, ran on strongly
held up in touch, not fluent 5th, pushed along after 4 out, no impression from next, well beaten from 2 out
led until 2nd, led narrowly after 4th, headed 3 out, lost place before next, soon well beaten
Simonsig finally ended Nicky Henderson's long wait for a winner of this Grade 1 last year and his My Tent Or Yours will have given a big clue to the chances of Chatterbox in this yesterday. The latter beat his stablemate at Newbury in December but his relative lack of experience could be a problem against some of these. We've a lot of respect for The New One, who was very impressive when sauntering clear in a Grade 2 at Warwick in January. The heavy ground probably contributed to his defeat by At Fisher's Cross here last time and he goes well on the track. But the Irish won't hear of defeat for PONT ALEXANDRE and we're also leaning towards Willie Mullins' five-year-old. He was conceding 4lb when easily accounting for Sizing Gold in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown in January and it will take a smart performance to lower his colours here on ground that will suit. Taquin Du Seuil is already a Grade 1 winner, at Newbury, but the form is a little suspect while Two Rockers looks an out-and-out stayer and you would be disappointed if one of the fancied horses couldn't outpace him over this trip. Rule The World easily has the beating of Minsk on Naas running but was possibly flattered by that result as the odds-on favourite was way below par. He's another who would probably appreciate a bit further.
Chatterbox (IRE) 5-4fav (11-8) In touch, smooth headway to lead 2 out, kept on strongly run-in, won at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Feb beating Lac Fontana (10-6) by 2l, 12 ran.
Minsk (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, 4th 3 out and pushed along before next, no extra entering straight, 4th of 8, 26l behind Champagne Fever (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 2f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Pont Alexandre (GER) 4-7fav (11-7) Made all, pushed clear before last, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) in Jan beating Sizing Gold (11-3) by 11l, 8 ran.
Rule The World 7-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, mostly 3rd, improved into close 2nd entering straight, led 2 out and soon went clear, stayed on strongly from last, eased inside final furlong, easily, impressive, won at Naas 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) in Jan beating Minsk (11-0) by 16l, 5 ran.
Taquin Du Seuil (FR) 13-8fav (11-7) Held up in rear, smooth headway on inside before 3 out, went 2nd approaching next, led approaching and mistake last, hung right and stayed on well to draw clear flat, ridden out, won at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) hvy in Dec beating Easter Day (11-7) by 9l, 6 ran.
The New One (IRE) 4-5fav (11-12) Disputed 2nd, effort to challenge on inside between last 2, led before last, ridden flat, kept on, headed narrowly towards finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind At Fishers Cross (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Two Rockers (IRE) 15-8fav (11-8) Held up in touch in 4th, took keen hold, went 2nd before 3 out, led on bit before last, stayed on strongly, won at Haydock 3m nov hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb beating Ardkilly Witness (11-8) by 5l, 5 ran.
Ubak (FR) 15-2 (10-12) Held up behind in touch, driven to chase leaders after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never on terms, 4th of 8, 13l behind Easter Day (11-3) at Ascot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (2) sft in Nov.
Puffin Billy (IRE) 4-5fav (11-11) Took keen hold, held up in 4th, went 2nd 3rd, led soon after next, went riight 3 out, mistake next, soon ridden, joined last, soon headed, not pace of winner, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Melodic Rendezvous (11-11) at Exeter 2m 1f Listed nov hdl (1) hvy in Feb.
Sizing Gold (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden into 2nd early straight, no chance with winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Pont Alexandre (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) in Jan.
