raced keenly, held up behind until headway to track leaders 5th, driven and effort before 2 out, readily outpaced by front pair soon after, hit last, edged left, ridden and kept on in modest 3rd flat
made most, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened between last 2
tracked front pair, disputed lead after 4 out, lost place after next, soon outpaced, ridden between last 2, plugged on to dispute modest 3rd briefly after last, no extra
held up in touch in last trio, still going well enough when sprawled badly on landing 4 out, not recover and quickly pulled up
held up in touch in last trio, blundered 9th, driven to chase leaders after 3 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, disputed modest 3rd briefly after last, no chance with leaders
pecked 1st, held up in touch, lost place 7th, in last trio when blundered 10th, mistake 4 out, outpaced and behind from next, weakened 2 out
held up in touch in last trio, chased leaders 3 out, one pace before next, never on terms, ridden and weakened last
with leader, led after 3 out, hard pressed next, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace, no chance with winner in clear 2nd flat
tracked leaders, switched towards outer travelling well approaching 3 out, challenged next, ridden to lead between last 2, clear when edged left flat, in no danger after, stayed on well
NonRunner
Invitation Only boasts solid form but it’s not spectacular, though he holds Snow Falcon on their run together in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last month. Terrefort was receiving 3lb when just getting the better of Cyrname in the Scilly Isles at Sandown but the runner-up has won a Grade 2 since and Nicky Henderson’s grey may be capable of better. Benatar was also getting weight when beating Finian's Oscar at Ascot in December but there is a huge question mark hanging over the jumping of the latter. MODUS fell behind West Approach at Exeter in December but was just about foot-perfect when getting back to winning ways at Kempton last time. He’s one of the few in this with Festival experience and he should handle the ground so gets the nod. Bigmartre is elevated from handicaps and may struggle to last home over this longer trip so the prolific mare Shattered Love may be the pick of the remainder.
Benatar (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4th until 6th, 2nd again before 2 out, ridden to lead last, just held on, all out, won at Ascot 2m 5f (1) gs in Dec beating Finian's Oscar (11-5) by shd, 3 ran.
Bigmartre (FR) 9-4fav (11-1) Tracked leader, led 6 out, ridden before and headed 2 out, regained lead run-in, caught post, 2nd of 8, shd behind Duke Of Navan (10-10) at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Finian's Oscar (IRE) 11-4fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, effort and every chance 2 out, ridden and lost place between last 2, weakening when pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 3m (1) hvy in Jan.
Invitation Only (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd after 4th, not fluent 4 out, still 3rd approaching straight, soon challenged, kept on well without matching 1st 2 run-in, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Monalee (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb.
Kemboy (FR) 2-5fav (11-12) Disputed lead, took keen hold and led from 2nd, made rest, jumped right at times, jumped right 2 out and soon pushed along, clear when bad mistake at last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hvy in Jan beating C'Est Jersey (11-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
Modus 8-15fav (11-3) Eventually set off in front and dictated very steady pace, jumped well, quickened approaching 3 out, clear next, great jump last, eased run-in, unchallenged, won at Kempton 2m 4f (2) gs in Feb beating Max Ward (11-7) by 3l, 4 ran.
West Approach 6-1 (11-4) Raced wide, chased clear leading pair, closer 6th, went left and lost 3rd next, jumped slowly 11th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, jumped badly left 2 out, last of 5, dist behind Terrefort (11-1) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) sft in Feb.
Terrefort (FR) 15-8fav (11-1) Jumped well, led until narrowly headed after 3rd, pressed leader, led again after 7th, hit 2 out, joined last, kept on gamely under pressure run-in, won at Sandown 2m 4f (1) sft in Feb beating Cyrname (11-4) by nk, 5 ran.
Shattered Love (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Prominent, on terms before 5th, soon 2nd again, led before 10th, pressed and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec beating Jury Duty (11-10) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Snow Falcon (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Prominent, 2nd after 4th, on terms approaching straight, soon headed, no extra and one pace run-in, 5th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Monalee (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb.
