tracked leader, led soon after 5th, joined when hit 4 out and headed, no chance with impressive winner
jumped well, kept bit wide tracking leaders, went bit left and bumped 4th, went 2nd 6th, challenged and led 4 out, soon clear, impressive
led until after 5th, hit next and lost 2nd, soon left behind
tracked leaders on inside, went right and bumped winner 4th, close enough when fell 6th
NonRunner
SHISHKIN has looked a natural in two starts over fences so far at Kempton and it would be a major shock if he were not to keep on track for the Arkle by completing his hat-trick. Cheddleton hasn’t looked back since finishing fourth at Uttoxeter on his chasing bow and could be the one for forecast-backers getting 5lb from Eldorado Allen, who was never competitive in the Grade 1 Henry VIII last time at Sandown having won previously at Newton Abbot and Cheltenham. Est Illic beat Fast Buck in a handicap here last month but the runner-up is now 17lb better off.
Eldorado Allen (FR) 3-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, began to lose ground on front three before bypassed 3 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 5, 14 3/4l behind Allmankind (10-10) at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Shishkin (IRE) 1-3fav (11-2) Chased leader, not fluent 3rd, led before 3 out, shaken up and went clear before last, readily, won at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec beating Tamaroc Du Mathan (11-2) by 13l, 4 ran.
Est Illic (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Led, joined 2nd, headed but close up 4th, led 7th, not fluent 4 out, ridden and narrow advantage 3 out, joined 2 out, led again last, disputed lead flat, stayed on strongly close home, just prevailed, won at Doncaster 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Fast Buck (11-8) by hd, 7 ran.
Fast Buck (FR) 11-1 (11-8) Pressed leader, upsides 2nd, led narrowly 4th, blundered and headed 7th, close up 4 out, upsides travelling strongly before 2 out, ridden before last, disputed lead flat, just faile, 2nd of 7, hd behind Est Illic (10-3) at Doncaster 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Cheddleton 2-1fav (11-4) Jumped left at times led, not fluent 8th, extended lead travelling strongly 2 out, driven out, won at Haydock 2m (3) hvy in Dec beating Cornerstone Lad (10-12) by 6l, 5 ran.