jumped well, made all, 3 lengths clear 2 out, reduced lead towards finish, held on gamely
tracked winner, mistake 11th, slow 14th, lost 2nd next, outpaced after 3 out, rallied before last, stayed on to close on winner flat, held close home
not always fluent, travelled strongly in last pair, hit 8th, weakened after 4 out, jumped right next and soon pulled up
held up in last pair, headway 16th, went 2nd before 2 out, unable to get to winner and dropped to 3rd flat
tracked leaders, went 2nd 15th until before 2 out, 4th and weakening when mistake last
chased leaders on outside, closed 11th, outpaced 16th, well beaten from 4 out, tailed off
Second in the 2017 Gold Cup, Minella Rocco is having a first run since falling in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown almost a year ago. Allysson Monterg looks up against it in this grade but Terrefort clearly didn’t give his true running when tailed off behind subsequent Welsh National winner Elegant Escape at Sandown on his reappearance and he may fare better than surprise Ascot winner Valtor. FRODON has done all of his winning over much shorter trips but has been second twice over 3m and handles this track as well as any chaser in training. If Bryony Frost can conserve his stamina, the seven-year-old could put these to the sword.
Frodon (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Led until 8th, led 10th, headed 12th, led again 13th, 3 lengths clear flat, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Dec beating Cepage (10-5) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Elegant Escape (IRE) 3-1fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, mistake 12th, went 2nd 5 out, led 3 out, driven flat, stayed on, won at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec beating Ramses De Teillee (11-1) by 1 1/4l, 20 ran.
Valtor (FR) 33-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 2nd approaching 15th, led 15th, clear before 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) sft in Dec beating Jammin Masters (10-5) by 8l, 12 ran.
Terrefort (FR) 4-6fav (11-8) Last pair, awkward 12th, mistake 15th, not fluent 17th, hit next, effort 3 out, hit 2 out, soon weakened, last of 4, dist behind Elegant Escape (11-8) at Sandown 3m lst (1) sft in Nov.
Allysson Monterg (FR) 11-2 (11-5) Held up in rear, awkward 3rd, mistake 5th, struggling 15th, pulled up after, at Wetherby 3m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Minella Rocco (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 5th at 7th, no impression straight and fell last, at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Feb.
