held up towards rear, headway after 5th, went 2nd after 2 out, led before last, clear flat, ridden out, readily
led, went strong gallop and soon well clear, not fluent 2nd, not fluent and reduced lead 5th, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, mistake 4th, headway after 5th, disputing 3rd when pecked and went left 3 out, 4th and no extra next
chased leaders, led before 3 out, soon headed, every chance when mistake 2 out, soon lost 2nd, no extra before last
towards rear, not fluent 2nd, modest 5th when pecked 2 out, no chance
jumped left at times, chased leaders, went 2nd behind clear leader 2nd, closed 5th, led before 3 out, headed approaching last, held flat, stayed on
always in rear
chased clear leader until 2nd, outpaced before 3 out, well held after, not fluent 2 out, kept on flat
This wouldn’t be the strongest Grade 1 ever staged with no Irish runners this year. Bannister is also engaged at Kempton and his possible defection would be a blow for each-way punters. Adagio is 2-3 and Elham Valley made a winning debut at Sandown with a subsequent winner and Yggdrasil behind. Paul Nicholls, who has won this twice in the last five years, saddles French import Houx Gris but all of those look closely matched on the form book and may struggle to cope with NASSALAM, who is held in high regard having twice slaughtered modest opposition on heavy ground at Fontwell.
Adagio (GER) 4-9fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway 2 out, led approaching last, readily drew clear final 150 yards, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f (2) sft in Dec beating Historic Heart (11-5) by 4 3/4l, 8 ran.
Bannister (FR) (11-0) 5th of 12, 8 1/4l behind Hortelao Has (10-10) at Auteuil 2m 1f hvy in Oct.
Elham Valley (FR) 11-2 (11-0) Close up early before settling mid-division, improved on to heels of leaders 2 out, disputed lead last, quickened clear, won at Sandown 2m (2) hvy in Dec beating Hudson De Grugy (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Houx Gris (FR) (10-10) won at Auteuil 2m 1f hvy in Oct beating Homme Public (10-10) by nk, 12 ran.
Mr Shady (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Prominent and travelled keenly, led before 3 out, ridden along and pressed 3 out and 2 out, every chance when in-front last, not fluent last, headed final 110 yards, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind First Impression (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Nassalam (FR) 1-12fav (11-5) Made all, tended to jump left, drew clear from 3 out, unchallenged, won at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) sft in Dec beating Zellerate (10-12) by dist, 6 ran.
Pyramid Place (IRE) Evensfav (10-12) Keen tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led soon after next, ran on, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Nov beating Admiral Balko (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Yggdrasil (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Sat outside leader, asked for effort 2 out, kept on but no match for front two, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Elham Valley (11-0) at Sandown 2m (2) hvy in Dec.
