tracked leader, effort to lead briefly 4 out, ridden after next, weakened from 2 out
disputed 2nd to 4th, tracked front pair, effort on inside 3 out, soon challenged, ridden before last, led narrowly flat, held on gamely
tracked leaders in 4th, effort 4 out, every chance 2 out, driven and not quicken before last, soon ridden, no impression with front pair flat
led, headed briefly 4 out, soon hard pressed, ridden between last 2, headed narrowly flat, kept on, held near finish
held up in touch in rear, hit 5th, effort before 4 out, soon outpaced, ridden and no impression with leaders after next
God's Own won this in 2014 and was third 12 months later but hasn’t won since 2016 and is the senior runner today. Paul Nicholls has won this six times, including two of the last three, and saddles two of the five runners this year. Diego Du Charmil won a Grade 1 novice event at Aintree in April but SAN BENEDETO (NAP) may enjoy a fitness advantage having had a recent spin over hurdles and can reverse Warwick running in the spring with Ozzie The Oscar on 6lb better terms. The return to 2m will suit Theo and he shouldn't be ignored, though probably has a few pounds to find on the form book.
Diego Du Charmil (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Held up in 5th, closer in 4th at 7th, left 3rd next, every chance 3 out, went 2nd next until before the last, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 15 3/4l behind Altior (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Apr.
God's Own (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, headway 4 out, tracking leaders on outside going well enough before next, outpaced approaching next, rallied approaching last, went 3rd run-in, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Altior (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Apr.
San Benedeto (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Chased leaders on outside, mistake 2nd, lost place 2 out, weakened, last of 6, 26 1/2l behind Verdana Blue (10-7) at Kempton 2m lst (1) gd in Oct.
Ozzie The Oscar (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Held up, not fluent 4th, headway to lead 2 out, soon ridden, headed approaching last, no extra flat, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Silver Streak (10-4) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Theo (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway on outside after 5 out, driven to chase winner briefly when edged left 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression before last, 5th of 8, 8 3/4l behind Frodon (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
