held up behind leaders, jumped right at times, mistake 17th, effort 3 out, chasing leaders before 2 out, no impression last, weakened flat
held up towards rear, closed 3 out, not much room final bend, soon had gap open and closed well to take 2nd 2 out, led last, quickened clear flat, impressive
not always fluent and jumped right, led until 7th, led 15th, headed 3 out, no extra last
soon close up, led 7th, headed 15th, lost place 4 out, weakened before mistake 3 out, tailed off
always in rear, pushed along briefly 5th, not fluent 10th, pulled up before 18th
not always fluent, held up rear of mid-division towards inside, outpaced after 3 out, switched right before 2 out, stayed on approaching last, pressing for 3rd inside final 100 yards, no chance with winner
mid-division, headway 13th, led 3 out, 3 lengths clear before 2 out, headed last, no chance with winner flat
held up towards rear, not much room 16th, closed on outside 4 out, 5 1/2 lengths 3rd and beaten when bad mistake last, no chance with winner, hard pressed to hold onto 3rd inside final 100 yards
held up in rear on outside, headway 7th, went prominent 10th, not fluent 15th, challenging when mistake 4 out, beaten 2 out, pressed for 3rd inside final 100 yards
prominent, not much room 3rd, lost place before 4 out, soon well held
chased leaders on inside, awkward 1st, soon towards rear, not fluent 7th, well beaten from 4 out, clambered over 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
Chantry House beat Santini and Aye Right in the Cotswold Chase here in January and won at The Festival last year. But the Henderson runner was a disappointing favourite in the King George at Kempton in December won by Tornado Flyer. Asterion Forlonge fell at the last that day when in touch and MINELLA INDO pulled up having been easy to back. However, everything has been geared for the champion to defend his title in this so that form shouldn’t be taken too literally. Henry De Bromhead’s charge, who has a terrific Festival record, outstayed A Plus Tard and dual winner Al Boum Photo here 12 months ago and his stablemate was also found wanting in the closing stages at Leopardstown in December when touched off by Galvin. The latter is another who goes well here and Protektorat shouldn’t be ignored as he was very impressive when going beyond 3m for the first time at Aintree, though the level of opposition that day was questionable with five of the eight runners failing to finish. Royale Pagaille was only sixth last year and was well beaten by A Plus Tard at Haydock in November so looks held.
Al Boum Photo (FR) 1-6fav (11-10) Raced in 2nd until led 8th, slight mistake next and 6 out, not fluent 4 out, 3 lengths clear 3 out, pushed along after 2 out, kept on well from last, comfortably, won at Tramore 2m 6f (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Burrows Saint (11-3) by 4l, 4 ran.
A Plus Tard (FR) 8-11fav (11-12) Waited with, progress after 6th, 6th at 8th, headway on outer 2 out, 3rd after 2 out, travelled well to lead narrowly before last, ridden and kept on run-in, all out, headed final stride, 2nd of 8, shd behind Galvin (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Asterion Forlonge (FR) 5-2fav (11-10) Mid-division on outer, 6th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, headway in 5th next, mistake 2 out and soon pushed along in rear, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace to go 4th close home, 4th of 8, 12 1/4l behind Conflated (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Feb.
Aye Right (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 3rd, led 12th until 17th, led again 3 out, headed approaching the last, stayed on same pace run-in, weakened into 3rd final 150 yards, 3rd of 5, 5 1/4l behind Chantry House (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f (1) gd in Jan.
Chantry House (IRE) 5-6fav (11-6) Kept out wide, tracked leader until 3rd, raced in close 3rd, awkward 8th, mistake 14th, led approaching the last, ridden and went clear run in, finished tired but in no danger, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f (1) gd in Jan beating Santini (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Galvin (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, closed after 4 out, dropped to 3rd entering straight, ridden and ran on well to lead final strides, won at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec beating A Plus Tard (11-12) by shd, 8 ran.
Minella Indo (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Mid-division, slight mistake 4th, 5th halfway, 4th and closer 3 out, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, went 2nd before last, ridden and kept on one pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 6 1/2l behind Conflated (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Feb.
Protektorat (FR) 4-1 (11-3) Mid-division, went 3rd before 9th, going well and went 2nd before 12th, pressed leader 5 out, led 4 out, shaken up and went clear after 3 out, stayed on strongly, comfortably, won at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Dec beating Native River (11-6) by 25l, 8 ran.
Royale Pagaille (FR) 2-1 (11-6) Raced in 4th and 5th, hit 12th, good headway on inside into 2nd 4 out, ridden between last two, 3 lengths down last, ridden and stayed on run-in, always held, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Eldorado Allen (11-6) at Newbury 2m 7f (1) gs in Feb.
Santini 10-1 (11-2) Led until 12th, chased leader, led again 17th until 3 out, chased leader, ridden and lost 2nd before next, kept on run-in, went 2nd final 150 yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Chantry House (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f (1) gd in Jan.
Tornado Flyer (IRE) 28-1 (11-10) Held up off the pace in last trio, steady headway out wide tracking leaders before 12th, went 2nd before led 2 out, clear before last, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 3m (1) sft in Dec beating Clan Des Obeaux (11-10) by 9l, 9 ran.
