led until after 1st, tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, hit 3 out, lost 2nd and soon beaten, well held 2 out
tracked leaders, pecked 6th, outpaced after 3 out, rallied approaching last, went 2nd flat, stayed on well, just failed
prominent, lost 2nd when not fluent 6th, mistake 4 out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division on outside, headway 8th, mistake and lost place 4 out, rallied to chase winner 3 out, bad error 2 out, lost 2nd last, one pace and no impression flat
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, in touch 4 out, weakened after next
held up in rear, headway 4 out, 2nd 2 out until after last, stayed on same pace final 100 yards just held onto 3rd
in rear, behind 8th, pulled up before 4 out
jumped well, led after 1st, clear 5th until given breather on downhill run to 3 out, stayed on gamely flat, just held on
mid-division, in touch 4 out, outpaced next, stayed on flat, finished well and just failed to get 3rd
held up towards rear on inside, outpaced 3 out, stayed on flat, unable to get competitive
DOUVAN has won 14 races in a row since beaten on his hurdling debut at Saint Malo almost three years ago. Eight of those victories have come at the highest level and another three came in Grade 2 races. He’s a superstar and it will be a surprise if any of today’s rivals manage to get him off the bridle, though his odds will reflect that fact. Fox Norton might lead the race for second place without troubling the favourite as he showed improved form here in the autumn and needed the run when beaten by Altior in the Game Spirit at Newbury, though was beaten twice last spring by the selection. Special Tiara and God's Own were third and fourth in this last year and both are smart two-mile chasers at their best, though not in the same league as Ruby Walsh’s mount. All of the others look well held on the form book.
Douvan (FR) 1-14fav (11-12) Led after 1st and made rest, went clear from 3 out, stayed on strongly, not extended, won at Punchestown 2m (1) sft in Feb beating Realt Mor (11-4) by 6 1/2l, 4 ran.
Fox Norton (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 4th, driven before 3 out, went 2nd next, kept on same pace, no chance with impressive winner, 2nd of 4, 13l behind Altior (11-5) at Newbury 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Garde La Victoire (FR) 6-4fav (11-12) Occasionaly jumped left, tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, ridden before last, driven out run-in, won at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan beating Bold Henry (10-10) by 2l, 7 ran.
God's Own (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Tracking leaders when blundered lost place and dropped to last pair 2nd, not fluent next, rallied into 3rd 3 out, driven and one pace between last 2, kept on well run-in, almost snatched 2nd, 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Un De Sceaux (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Simply Ned (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, closer order 6th, under pressure from 2 out, went 2nd into straight, dropped to 3rd run-in and one pace, 3rd of 5, 15l behind Douvan (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Sir Valentino (FR) 6-1 (11-6) Chased winner, closed from 4 out, every chance when went left and hit 2 out, kept on under pressure run-in, but unable to challenge, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Special Tiara (11-0) at Kempton 2m (1) gd in Dec.
Sizing Granite (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) In touch, headway on inside chasing leaders 4th, outpaced after 3 out, plugged on but never on terms after, 5th of 10, 12 1/4l behind Tommy Silver (11-9) at Taunton 2m hcp (2) gd in Feb.
Special Tiara 8-1 (11-7) Led until 9th, 4th and no extra 2 out, 5th of 7, 32 3/4l behind Un De Sceaux (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Top Gamble (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, went 2nd before 2 out until last, one pace, 3rd of 7, 7 3/4l behind Un De Sceaux (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Traffic Fluide (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, hit 3rd, not fluent next, headway into modest 3rd place 9th, weakening when hit 3 out, soon behind, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Cue Card (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb.
