led, driven and headed after 4 out, outpaced next, weakened from 2 out
tracked leader, lost place before 4 out, behind from next, tailed off
in touch in rear, outpaced 3 out, ridden and stayed on into 3rd flat, never on terms
tracked leaders in 5th, outpaced when mistake 4 out, stayed on to chase winner briefly before 2 out, one pace before last, weakened into 4th flat
tracked leaders, joined leader on outside 8th, outpaced in 3rd before 3 out, went 2nd again approaching 2 out, kept on, no chance with impressive winner
tracked leeaders, smooth headway to lead after 4 out, pushed clear from 2 out, stayed on strongly, impressive
On old form this would be a cakewalk for Sprinter Sacre but his most recent performances have provided more questions than answers and it's not hard to get cold feet about the former champion even on today's terms. Tony McCoy managed to cajole Mr Mole into cooperation rather than conflict but, on his first start under Barry Geraghty, he faces a stiff task in giving weight all around. SIMPLY NED has crept under the radar in this division and his ability to show his form on any surface can see him successfully graduate into graded company. Somersby has been a credit to his connections over the years and the veteran is respected having proven himself able to deliver the goods when fresh. Savello and Croco Bay have it to do on the formbook but neither will be inconvenienced by the forecast weather.
Mr Mole (IRE) 4-1fav (11-7) Tracked winner, led 3rd until approaching 7th, chased winner, went left next, pushed along and every chance when went left 3 out, soon ridden, went left 2 out, driven and no impression when dropped to 3rd between last 2, 3rd of 7, 9 3/4l behind Special Tiara (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gd in Apr.
Croco Bay (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, headway 7 out, chased leaders 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Simply Ned (11-12) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (2) gf in Oct.
Savello (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway after 2 out, kept on flat, unable to challenge, 4th of 11, 7 1/4l behind Old Guard (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Simply Ned (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) In rear, headway 4 out, led before last, held on well towards finish, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (2) gf in Oct beating Robin's Command (10-0) by 3l, 6 ran.
Somersby (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Hampered 1st, tracked leaders, not fluent 7th (water), pushed along before 3 out, no progress, lost modest 4th post, 5th of 7, 14 3/4l behind Special Tiara (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gd in Apr.
Sprinter Sacre (FR) 4-1fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd between last 2, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Special Tiara (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gd in Apr.
