held up in touch, not clear run after 3 out, pushed along to close 2 out, soon switched right, challenged last, led flat, stayed on gamely, driven out
tracked leader until 3rd, stayed handy until outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened
towards rear, pushed along briefly after 15th, headway approaching 3 out, every chance 2 out, close 4th when hampered last, no extra final 100 yards
held up in touch, pushed along after 4 out, led briefly 3 out, led again next, pecked and headed last, no extra final 125 yards
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 3rd, challenged 9th, led after 3 out, headed next, 5th and beaten when blundered last, weakened flat
led, not always fluent, mistake 14th, headed 3 out, soon dropped out
not always fluent, held up in rear, headway after 3 out, challenged 2 out, led when jumped left and not fluent last, headed flat, edged right and held towards finish
held up, not fluent 3rd, in touch 6th, ridden after 3 out, 6th and outpaced when mistake 2 out, no impression after, plugged on flat
Inexperienced novices don't fare well in this as a rule as there is usually a strong gallop, which suits staying types. More Of That won the World Hurdle in 2014 but has only had eight career starts, two of those over fences. He does like it here but will be short enough in the betting for what he's achieved so far over the larger obstacles. No More Heroes was third in last year's Albert Bartlett and has taken well to fences. He's also won twice at Grade 1 level, though his latest victory at Leopardstown hasn't worked out and there is a question mark how he'd cope with an end-to-end gallop. Seeyouatmidnight was a smart stayer over hurdles and is proving even better over fences. After a pipe-opener, he's won three on the spin and could take some catching if allowed an uncontested lead. However, Sandy Thomson's stable star may struggle to confirm running here in January with Blaklion and is still making mistakes. Ascot winner VYTA DU ROC improved markedly when stepped up to 3m at Ascot and there should be plenty more to come. At the likely odds, Nicky Henderson's grey might just be the value in an open-looking renewal. Roi Des Francs looks the pick of the Mullins pair, ahead of Shaneshill.
Blaklion 4-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, challenged before 2 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on well, won at Wetherby 3m (1) hvy in Feb beating Definitly Red (11-0) by 8l, 6 ran.
Le Mercurey (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, headed just after last, kept on same pace towards finish, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Vyta Du Roc (11-0) at Ascot 3m (1) sft in Feb.
More Of That (IRE) 1-3fav (11-8) With leader, led before 4th, ridden before last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) sft in Dec beating Sametegal (11-5) by 13l, 3 ran.
No More Heroes (IRE) 4-9fav (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, jumped well, led 12th, travelled well and asserted before last, ridden and stayed on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 3m (1) hvy in Dec beating Rule The World (11-10) by 9l, 4 ran.
Roi Des Francs (FR) 13-8 (11-5) Chased front pair in rear, closed on inner approaching straight, on terms before 2 out, pushed along between last 2, gained narrow lead and edged slightly right run-in, stayed on best, won at Naas 3m (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Pont Alexandre (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 3 ran.
Seeyouatmidnight 1-8fav (11-7) Made all, not fluent 4 out, 3 lengths clear when not fluent last, ridden out flat, always in command, won at Newcastle 2m 7f (2) gs in Feb beating Smooth Stepper (11-4) by 6l, 3 ran.
Shaneshill (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 5, 15l behind Vaniteux (11-0) at Doncaster 2m (1) gd in Jan.
Vyta Du Roc (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, led just after last, hard driven, kept on well, won at Ascot 3m (1) sft in Feb beating Minella Rocco (11-0) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
