tracked leaders, pushed along when blundered and lost place 5th, behind from next (water), lost touch 7th, soon pulled up
tracked leaders until blundered and sprawled on landing 8th, not recover, soon behind, pulled up after 4 out (usual 5 out)
tracked leader, challenged 4 out (usual 5 out), led last (usual 2 out), soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat, held on towards finish (4 fences omitted)
led, ridden after 2 out (usual 3 out), headed last (usual 2 out), soon ridden, rallied final 100 yards, held towards finish
behind, struggling 4 out (usual 5 out), plugged on to take moderate 4th flat, no chance with leaders
mid-division on outside, tracked leaders 5th, went 3rd 9th, pushed along 3 out (usual 4 out), no chance with front pair before 2 out (usual 3 out), weakened flat, tailed off
mid-division, chased leaders when slightly hampered 8th, lost place 3 out (usual 4 out), 5th 2 out (usual 3 out), plugged on to take remote 3rd flat
behind, struggling 4 out (usual 5 out), some headway when hit 2 out (usual 3 out), disputed modest 3rd last (usual 2 out), weakened flat, tailed off
mid-division on inside, blundered 7th, driven to chase clear leaders before 2 out (usual 3 out), soon weakened, pulled up before last (usual 2 out)
Many of these boast strong form around here including last year's Festival winner Irish Cavalier who is now back to his optimum trip. His stable is now in far better form than when he went out so tamely in the Paddy Power in November when appearing the likely winner. He'll surely go well but CHAMPAGNE WEST remains a young chaser with real scope after just the five starts over fences and ran a stormer when second to stable companion Village Vic here last month. Let's take him to go one better. Annacotty failed to follow up his battling Paddy Power win when behind Village Vic in the aforementioned race and Tenor Nivernais, tough and consistent, is preferred for the shortlist after finishing second and third to Village Vic here in top handicaps the last twice.
Irish Cavalier (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) In touch, ridden and weakened 4 out, 5th of 9, dist behind Cue Card (11-10) at Kempton 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Champagne West (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, blundered badly and left 2nd briefly 7th, went 2nd again 13th, 4 lengths down when jumped left last, unable to close gap, stayed on, 2nd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Village Vic (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Annacotty (IRE) 13-2fav (11-2) Chased leaders, not fluent and lost place 4th, outpaced 12th, mistake last, plugged on flat, no impression, 6th of 14, 23 1/4l behind Village Vic (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Tenor Nivernais (FR) 11-2 (10-11) Tracked winner until 3 out, outpaced after next, rallied last, stayed on flat, went 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Village Vic (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
Johns Spirit (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, headway 11th, in touch in 5th 2 out, soon outpaced, weakened before last where hampered, 6th of 11, 23 1/4l behind Village Vic (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
Salubrious (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, never able to challenge, 4th of 10, 11 3/4l behind Dare Me (11-1) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Lost Legend (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, outpaced 11th, well beaten before 2 out, stayed on flat, went 4th close home, no impression, 4th of 11, 22 3/4l behind Village Vic (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
Final Assault (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Mid-division when blundered and unseated rider 6th, at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Un Beau Roman (FR) 20-1 (11-7) In touch, headway after 4 out, every chance next, led before 2 out, drew clear last, ran on well, won at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Galway Jack (11-9) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
