in mid-division until blundered and fell
mistake 1st, blundered 7th, always behind, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, steady headway from 6th, chased leaders 4 out, led approaching and jumped slowly 2 out, soon headed, switched right approaching last, led flat, driven out
chased leaders, led 10th until approaching 2 out, weakened quickly
behind most of way
towards rear, never a danger
led until 10th, stayed prominent until weakened after 4 out
in touch, ridden and hit 4 out, stayed on at one pace approaching last
chased leaders until weakened 4 out
in rear, hampered 5th, ridden 10th, never reach challenging position
in touch, driven after 3 out, stayed on approaching last, went 3rd flat
held up in mid-division, headway from 3 out, led soon after 2 out, headed flat, not pace of winner
always in rear
mid-division, hit 4 out, soon weakened, well behind when blundered 2 out
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden and blundered 4 out, slightly hampered next, stayed on one pace from 2 out
mid-division, headway 3 out, one pace from next
always behind
held up in rear, hit 8th, staying on and going okay when fell 3 out
chased leaders, mistake 11th, ridden and weakened 4 out
in touch, hit 2nd, weakened 3 out
hit 7th, always in rear
Nicky Henderson sold Saintsaire to Paul Nicholls last year and may yet rue that decision, however we will trust his judgement and take Saintsaire on with Evan Williams' Demi Beau, although many with chances include fellow front-runner Sporazene, last-year's winner Greenhope, and the in-form Pablo Du Charmil. The last-named is chasing a four-timer and has been very impressive on varying ground. However as a novice stepping into this company for the first time he will find life a lot tougher in the hurly-burly field and looks worth opposing with Demi Beau. One of a number of runners who like to force the pace, he was impressive when winning a good handicap at Ascot and has been given a break to freshen him up since. His trainer has made no secret of the fact that most of his horses are better on good ground so conditions appear ideal today and he looks the value call in an open contest. Likely favourite Saintsaire has obvious claims. His jumping hasn't always been brilliant, however he must have claims off this mark of 134 if putting in a clear round. Andreas was the 'Irish banker' for last year's meeting but he fell, and has since failed to convince as he finds very little off the bridle. Greenhope should be fit after a prep run over hurdles and shouldn't be discounted lightly, especially with last-year's winning jockey back on board. Stablemate Tysou has place claims, as does Irish raider Carthalawn who can run a huge race if avoiding trouble back in the pack. In an extremely open contest, we will tentatively return to Evan Williams' Demi Beau to land the spoils.
Sporazene (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, left 2nd at 5th, not fluent and slipped on landing 9th, ridden after 4 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 20l behind Well Chief (11-0) at Newbury 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Demi Beau 7-1 (10-6) With leader, led 3rd, ridden when jumped right last, ran on gamely, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov beating Hasty Prince (10-3) by 2l, 11 ran.
Andreas (FR) 9-2fav (11-1) Held up towards rear, smooth headway from 7th, ridden to challenge for 2nd after 3 out, kept on, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Dempsey (11-10) at Sandown 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb.
Pablo Du Charmil (FR) 2-9fav (11-12) Made all, clear from 2 out, won at Warwick 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Dec beating Offemont (11-2) by 23l, 3 ran.
Calatagan (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Led to 3rd, remained prominent, led after 4 out, clear 2 out, not fluent last, headed flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Regal Heights (10-8) at Haydock 2m hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Tysou (FR) 12-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway and hit 7th, ridden after 4 out, went 4th approaching last, no impression, 4th of 12, 13l behind Dempsey (11-10) at Sandown 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb.
Greenhope (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, heavily eased run-in, 12th of 16, well behind Border Castle (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Ursis (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Tracked leader, 4th until mistake and headed 4 out, stayed on at same pace from next, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Natal (11-7) at Kempton 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Kahuna (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Prominent, led from 3rd, strongly pressed and headed before 4 out, soon lost place and no impression, 5th of 11, 38l behind Tumbling Dice (11-4) at Cork 2m chs Grd 2 hvy in Dec.
Coat of Honour (USA) 15-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, joined leader 7th, led 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on until headed, no extra flat, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind St Matthew (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs in Feb.
Ground Ball (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) In touch, hampered 5th, lost place 7th, not a danger after, 9th of 12, 30l behind Dempsey (11-10) at Sandown 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb.
Hasty Prince 6-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 4 out, chased winner after 3 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Dempsey (11-10) at Sandown 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb.
Commonchero (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 5th and ridden before 2 out, soon no extra, 6th of 7, 27l behind Pedrobob (11-6) at Leopardstown 2m hdl hvy in Dec.
Jacks Craic (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (11-12) Held up, headway 4 out, led 3 out, headed 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Magic Sky (10-12) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Zum See (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, 5th approaching 2 out, soon weakened, eased from last, 9th of 11, more than 13l behind Beef Or Salmon (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f hdl hvy in Dec.
Saintsaire (FR) 15-8fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, in command when dived at last, ridden out and readily holding runner up near finish, won at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov beating Bambi De L'orme (11-5) by 2l, 9 ran.
Bambi de L'Orme (FR) 12-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, slightly hampered 5th, some late progress, never a factor, 7th of 12, 21l behind Dempsey (11-10) at Sandown 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb.
Croix de Guerre (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, hit 8th, soon ridden, kept on same pace from 3 out, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Jericho III (11-2) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Dec.
Carthalawn (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Held up, headway travelling well 3 out, led last, quickened clear, easily, won at Naas 2m hcp chs 0-130 sft in Feb beating Lakil Princess (11-0) by 9l, 11 ran.
Figaro du Rocher (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 10, 15l behind Kenzo III (9-7) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Dec.
Misty Dancer 4-1 (11-3) In touch, hit 2nd, led 10th until next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 10l behind Marcel (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Borora 12-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next, 4th of 7, 12l behind Chief Yeoman (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) sft in Feb.
Tanikos (FR) 6-1 (11-1) In touch, headway 8th, led 3 out, ridden and headed next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Marcel (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Cossack Dancer (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Pressed winner throughout, mistake 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance run-in, no extra, 2nd of 12, nk behind Jericho III (11-2) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Dec.
