prominent, jumped markedly left 1st, led after 5th, joined before 8th, led 3 out, pressed before 2 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on, no extra
chased front pair throughout, pressed leader before 2 out, pushed along and led before last, stayed on strongly run-in, readily
held up in rear, in touch, not fluent and shaken up 11th, mistake 12th and steadily lost ground, tailed off
led, raced keenly, headed and raced in 2nd after 5th, disputed lead before 8th, headed 3 out, soon beaten and weakened quickly, tailed off
A very poor turnout for a big prize in which Paul Nicholls has won the last two and has a pair of entries. Eldorado Allen, twice beaten easily by Shiskin early last year, led in the final strides to land the Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter but jumped poorly when tackling this trip in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon. He has a 6lb penalty to carry while stable companion Rouge Vif has never raced over a trip this far. He was having his first start for the yard when last of four at Cheltenham in November and needs to rediscover his form. MISTER FISHER has failed to finish in four of his last six though won the re-routed Peterborough at Cheltenham just over a year ago and was beaten a neck by Frodon in a Sandown Grade 2 in April. Pulled up in the King George on his reappearance, he should win this if completing without mishap. Defi Du Seuil has failed to build on his brilliant early career when he won four Grade 1 races.
Eldorado Allen (FR) 9-2 (11-8) Held up in touch, mistake 12th, pushed along and outpaced well over 2 out, kept on steadily from under 2 out, ran on well flat, 3rd of 6, 6 1/4l behind First Flow (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (1) gd in Dec.
Mister Fisher (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Held up off the pace in last trio, hit 7th, headway into 5th out wide 4 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before next, at Kempton 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Defi Du Seuil (FR) 3-1fav (11-2) In rear, asked for effort 3 out, no extra from 2 out, 4th of 6, 35l behind Lostintranslation (11-2) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) gd in Nov.
Rouge Vif (FR) 3-1 (11-0) Jumped right at times, raced keenly, went 2nd after 4th, lost 2nd 3 out, weakening when tired jump and lost 3rd at the last, last of 4, 20 1/2l behind Nube Negra (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov.
