tracked leader, lost place 10th, pushed along next, mistake 4 out, rallied approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
towards rear, headway 6 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on to chase winner towards finish
in touch, headway 4 out, chased leader 2 out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, ridden and joined last, headed inside final furlong, one pace and lost 2nd towards finish
raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden 5 out, weakened 3 out, pulled up last
led, not fluent 4 out, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, ridden and weakened next
always in rear, outpaced 5 out
in touch, pushed along 4 out, weakened next
in rear, headway 3 out, stumbled on landing 2 out, kept on same pace
Most of these veterans have winning form on a soft surface but many are more effective over longer distances, though there should be a strong gallop with several liking to race up with the pace. Top Ville Ben is one of those but he fell heavily on his reappearance at Aintree where Duc De Beauchene was pulled up. Cepage goes well here and will have needed his return to action while Go Steady is running over his optimum trip but Lord Du Mesnil is on a long losing run and his last two victories have come over 3m4f. STORM CONTROL led until the last in the Paddy Power Gold Cup here last season when 5lb higher. He’s been off the track since January but it could be worth taking a chance on his fitness, though Kempton winner Le Ligerien looks a big danger despite a 5lb rise.
Sam Brown 10-1 (11-8) Always behind, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up after 5 out, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Lord Du Mesnil (FR) 7-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 12th, outpaced after 3 out, no impression after, 5th of 6, 11 1/2l behind Good Boy Bobby (11-2) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Cepage (FR) 5-1 (11-6) Dived at 1st, chased leaders, led before 2nd until next, jumped slowly 6th, jumped slowly and dropped to rear 10th, plugged on in remote 4th run-in, 4th of 6, 33 3/4l behind Thomas Darby (11-11) at Warwick 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Le Ligerien (FR) 6-1 (11-13) Tracked leader, led 4th, jumped left 10th, pushed along 2 out, ran on, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Nov beating Danny Kirwan (12-0) by 7 1/2l, 4 ran.
Top Ville Ben (IRE) 15-2 (11-6) Led, fell 10th, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Storm Control (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Prominent, led 2nd, jumped well, forged on 5 out, 3 lengths ahead approaching last, ridden run-in and headed over 110 yards out, faded closing stages, 4th of 9, 5 3/4l behind Senior Citizen (11-6) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Duc De Beauchene (FR) 12-1 (10-11) Towards rear, well behind when pulled up before 3 out, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Up Helly Aa King 7-2fav (11-13) Towards rear, bit closer in mid-division after 7th, pushed along before 4 out, headway into 3rd 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, stayed on same pace, not fluent last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 4 1/4l behind Flying Verse (10-9) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Go Steady 15-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, challenged 2 out, led before last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Sound And Fury (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
