led, pecked 9th, mistake 3 out, soon ridden and headed, kept on same pace
with leader, raced wide, led soon after 3 out, ridden when not fluent last, soon headed, no extra
held up, headway 12th, went 3rd after 15th, ridden after 4 out, one pace from next
tracked laders, ridden after 16th, one pace from 3 out
tracking leaders when blundered and unseated rider 14th
tracked leaders, not fluent 16th, soon ridden, weakened 4 out
held up in last pair, closing when hit 4 out, went 3rd next, soon ridden, led soon after last, stayed on well, ridden out
niggled along from 7th, lost touch 12th, pulled up before 14th
Neptune Collonges appeals as the likeliest winner of this race but there are doubts about his chances and those of the other principals so Knowhere is put forwards as a likely outsider. Neptune Collonges's victory in the Guiness Gold Cup confirmed his transformation into a top notch performer but he has yet to show his best form at this track and that has to be a major concern until he puts that issue to bed. Our Vic has never been one to rely on whilst State Of Play and Simon will need a truly run race to be seen at their best and that cannot be guaranteed in this field. Billyvoddan and Faasel have ability but are quirky which leaves Madison Du Berlais and Knowhere. Both ran decent races in the Hennessy and the Pipe horse has run well again since but a chance is taken with Knowhere who was probably turned out too quickly after Newbury when disappointing last time. He's posted some top class efforts at this track in the past, is open to improvement at this trip and rates a sporting selection.
Neptune Collonges (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Close 2nd, led before 4 out, clear after 3 out, hard ridden and kept on from last, won at Punchestown 3m 1f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr beating Kingscliff (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Our Vic (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Led until 4th, chased leaders, struggling and lost place 13th, kept on from 3 out, went 2nd run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Billyvoddan (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Chased leaders until 10th, soon behind and pulled up 2 out in race won by L'Antartique (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Nov, 20 ran.
Madison Du Berlais (FR) 8-1 (11-9) Chased leader 3rd until mistake 10th, regained 2nd 12th to 4 out, rallied to chase winner and hit last, no impression flat, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Vodka Bleu (10-3) at Ascot 3m lst hcp chs (1) gf in Dec.
Simon 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, hit 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on from 2 out, ran on strongly flat, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Over The Creek (10-4) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Dec.
State of Play 25-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th when slight mistake 6 out, ridden before 2 out, soon no extra, 5th of 6, 18l behind Denman (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Dec.
Knowhere (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, hit 12th, soon ridden, hit 3 out, weakening when pulled up 2 out in race won by Tamarinbleu (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Dec, 16 ran.
Faasel (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) In touch, lost place 5th, ridden 4 out, soon beaten, 5th of 7, 19l behind Blazing Bailey (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl (2) gs.
