chased leader, jumped big 1st, not fluent 6th, lost 2nd 10th, went 2nd again 12th, not fluent 14th, struggling from 15th, tailed off
held up on inside, improved from 12th, every chance when carried right last, 3rd and beaten flat
chased leaders, mistake 4th, went 2nd 10th until before 12th, struggling 14th, tailed off
jumped right at times, held up towards rear on outside, mistake 3rd, headway 7th, 2nd 14th, switched left and beaten 4th before last, one pace
led, slow 3rd, mistake 7th, edged right, bumped rival and headed last, soon led again but pressed, held on well
held up, headway 3 out, switched right and challenged before last, bumped and led at last, soon headed, stayed on, held by winner close home
held up in rear, hampered 3rd, closed 10th, mistake 11th, struggling 14th, effort 4 out, mistake 3 out, beaten before next
A disappointing turnout for this long-established staying chase. CHIDSWELL is still 3lb higher than when landing this two years, despite having failed to score since, but he’s probably been running better than recent form figures would suggest and is a thorough stayer. Chef D'oeuvre is hard to catch right nowadays and needs softer ground but this is a slightly easier task for Beware The Bear, who won at the Cheltenham Festival last year. Special Prep, Just A Sting and Red Infantry have plenty to prove at present but Canelo has enjoyed a profitable campaign, winning at Aintree and Wetherby, though his stamina will be tested if there is any pace in the race.
Beware The Bear (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Never going and early reminders in rear, tailed off 12th, never a factor, 7th of 10, dist behind Mister Malarky (11-5) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Canelo (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 11th, pushed along before 4 out, no extra in 4th next, 4th of 11, 12 3/4l behind Takingrisks (11-2) at Doncaster 3m hcp lst (1) sft in Jan.
Just A Sting (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leader until halfway, handy 3rd, ridden 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 10, 9 3/4l behind Ecco (11-4) at Kempton 2m 2f (4) pol in Feb.
Chidswell (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Last pair, jumped slowly 8th, last and struggling 3 out, never a factor, 6th of 8, 25 3/4l behind On The Blind Side (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 7f (2) hvy in Jan.
Red Infantry (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Towards rear, went modest 5th before 4 out, hung left after, never on terms, 6th of 8, 12 1/4l behind Beau Bay (11-1) at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Special Prep (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up in touch in mid-division on inside, closed over 5f out, no impression over 1f out, 5th of 10, 8 3/4l behind King Of Realms (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f (4) pol in Feb.
Chef D'Oeuvre (FR) 13-2 (10-12) Towards rear, ridden 7th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, dist behind Potters Hedger (11-0) at Haydock 3m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
