towards rear, 7th halfway, left 6th and slightly hampered 12th, went moderate 3rd 3 out, no extra next, kept on one pace
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, 3rd 4 out, no extra in 4th after next, weakened
tracked leaders, dropped to rear and pushed along after 8th, mistake 10th, detached before 12th, no extra
chased leaders, 6th halfway, fell 12th
made all, jumped left, asserted approaching 2 out, stayed on well
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 4 out, ridden and no impression on winner after 3 out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, no extra in 6th after 4 out, weakened
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, no extra after 3 out, weakened
Paul Nicholls knows what's required for this having won it four times in seven years including twice with Kauto Star on his reappearance. Rocky Creek is unlikely to match his exploits but progressed into a very smart stayer last term and only faded from the elbow when fifth in the Grand National. Ma Filleule arrived at Nicky Henderson's from France with a big reputation and began to justify it in her three latest runs, scoring at Kempton and Aintree and finishing a close second in a Grade 3 at the Cheltenham Festival. First Lieutenant disappointed in fourth a year ago before a brilliant effort behind Bobsworth in the Lexus. He's much better going left-handed though he had no answer to BOSTON BOB in the Punchestown Gold Cup in April when the winner's stablemate On His Own, who ran the race of his life in the Gold Cup behind Lord Windermere, finished tailed off. The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the target for Boston Bob this season and he can start by taking this. Galway Plate winner Road To Riches tackles this trip for the first time over fences and could be suited though needs much more and though Realt Mor and the hunter Tammys Hill are high-class performers they have a bit to find in a cracking renewal.
Boston Bob (IRE) 5-2fav (11-10) Mid-division, 5th halfway, progress in 4th after 3 out, 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, challenged last and jinked left, stayed on to lead run-in, kept on strongly closing stages, won at Punchestown 3m 1f Grade 1 chs (1) in Apr beating First Lieutenant (11-10) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
First Lieutenant (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 5th 8 out, progress into close 3rd 4 out, soon challenged, led next, ridden 2 out, challenged last, headed run-in, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Boston Bob (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f Grade 1 chs (1) in Apr.
On His Own (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Soon led, slight mistake 5th, headed 8 out and niggled to maintain position, 5th and ridden 5 out, weakened next, completely tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Boston Bob (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f Grade 1 chs (1) in Apr.
Realt Mor (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) Led, slight mistake 3rd, headed when mistake 3 out, dropped to 3rd approaching last and no extra run-in, 3rd of 4, 12l behind Flemenstar (11-12) at Navan 2m chs Grd 2 (1) in Nov '13.
Road To Riches (IRE) Evensfav (11-6) Led, headed 3rd, slight mistake 5th, led again from 9th, clear from 4 out, ridden and reduced advantage 2 out, kept on well run-in, headed near line, 2nd of 6, hd behind Sizing Europe (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) in Oct.
Rocky Creek (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 18th to 24th (2nd canal turn), with leader, led again 3 out, headed next, ridden and no impression in 4th after last, one pace flat, lost 4th towards finish, 5th of 40, 19l behind Pineau De Re (10-6) at Aintree 4m 3f hcap ch Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Tammys Hill (IRE) 15-8fav (11-10) Chased leaders, slightly slow 1st and impeded, inclined to jump big, 6th after 6th, went 3rd straight, 2nd 2 out and challenged, stayed on well run-in to lead close home, won at Cork 2m 3f hcp hdl 80-102 in Oct beating Pierlow (11-3) by shd, 19 ran.
Ma Filleule (FR) 9-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led after 12th (canal turn), made rest, driven clear after 2 out, ridden after last, stayed on well flat, won at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr beating Bennys Mist (10-9) by 8l, 30 ran.
