raced wide, narrow lead until 11th, stayed challenging, regain lead approaching 2 out and mistake, headed between last 2, soon beaten
held up, steady headway 4 out, not fluent 3 out, soon challenging, led between last 2, well in command when hit last, due clear flat
in touch, mistake 5th, slightly hampered 9th, plugged on from 3 out, left moderate 3rd 2 out
raced on stands side, tracked leaders in 4th, narrow lead 11th, headed approaching 2 out, weakening in 3rd when fell 2 out
tracked leader, mistake 6th, blundered and unseated rider 9th
always behind, hampered 9th, mistake and struggling 12th, tailed off
tracked leading pair, left 2nd at 9th until 2 out, weakenend soon after
behind, mistakes 11th and next, tailed off 14th, pulled up before 16th
in touch, headway to track leaders 16th, 3rd and about 2 lengths down and going well when fell 3 out
From a very good line-up for the Letherby and Christopher Chase, Our Vic is selected ahead of Exotic Dancer, Halcon Genelardais and Neptune Collonges. The selection confirmed that he was back in business with an impressive seven-length win from Neptune Collonges (who reopposes on worse terms today) in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby. Even though he has to concede weight to the field, he still looks the one to beat today. Look at his opponents though. The Paddy Power Gold Cup and Boylesports Gold Cup winner, and King George runner-up, Exotic Dancer; the Welsh National winner Halcon Genelardais; the Rehearsal Chase winner Neptune Collonges, who we also already mentioned; last season's Grand National fourth Nil Desperandun, plus Cailin Alainn, whose recent win came in a valuable race from very useful fellow novice Patsy Hall in Ireland. All in all, then, it is a very good race, with the vote going to Our Vic.
Our Vic (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Led to 2nd, remained close up and raced wide, led again approaching 4 out, clear from 3 out, easily, won at Wetherby 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Oct beating Neptune Collonges (10-12) by 7l, 10 ran.
Exotic Dancer (FR) 9-1 (11-10) Held headway to track leading pairs 3 out, blundered badly 2 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Halcon Genelardais (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 8th, led and not fluent 3 out, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec beating Mon Mome (10-3) by 4l, 18 ran.
Neptune Collonges (FR) 10-3 (11-7) Led until 2 out, one pace after, 6th of 9, 11l behind Mighty Man (11-7) at Ascot 3m 1f hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Idle Talk (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Prominent, under pressure approaching 17th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 16, 30l behind State of Play (11-4) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Fundamentalist (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Led to 5th, hit 7th, outpaced 5 out, soon weakened, last of 11, well behind Neptune Collonges (11-9) at Newcastle 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Nil Desperandum (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) In touch, weakened approaching 15th, 6th of 15, 15l behind D'Argent (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Dec.
Take The Stand (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Mid-division, hampered 3rd, bumped next, ridden after 15th, mistake next, soon weakened, 11th of 18, well behind Billyvoddan (10-12) at Ascot 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Dec.
Cailin Alainn (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, 6th after halfway, 4th 4 out, left close 2nd 2 out, led before last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 3m nov chs Grd 1 (1) hvy in Dec beating Patsy Hall (11-10) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
