soon well behind, ridden and struggling 9th, jumped badly left 11th, pulled up
held up towards rear, not fluent 7th, struggling 4 out, no chance when blundered badly 3 out, pulled up before last
held up in rear, not fluent 10th, headway to track leading pairs 3 out, challenging for 2nd when blundered badly 2 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner
held up in touch, steady headway from 11th, went 2nd 12th, blundered 4 out, disputing lead well before 3 out, definite advantage 3 out, quickened well clear when hit last, impressive
tracked leader, led 5th to well before 3 out, weakened
held up in rear, headway 11th, stayed on at same pace from 3 out
led to 5th, tracked leader until 12th, weakened quickly before next
tracked leaders, mistake 7th, ridden along 9th, weakened from 12th
tracked leaders, hit 7th, disputing lead well before 3 out, until 3 out, chased winner after, no chance when lost 2nd at last
Kauto Star gets a confident vote over Monet's Garden, Racing Demon and Exotic Dancer in the day's feature event. So far this season, Kauto Star has done nothing to dispel the theory that he is the best chaser around, with three wins from three starts. The way that he travelled throughout in the Betfair Chase at Haydock to brush aside his rivals including the likes of Beef Or Salmon and L'Ami showed that he definitely has no stamina limitations, and in truth he had little more than an exercise canter in the Tingle Creek. Granted he was not foot perfect in the later stages at Sandown, but those slight errors will only have served as an education, and he should be spot on now as he bids to stay on course for a crack at the million-pound bonus culminating in a crack at the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. Monet's Garden is the big hope of the North, and trainer Nicky Richards could not be happier with his preparation. He jumps and stays well and should at least give the selection a race. He has yet to win a chase over three miles though, and likewise Peterborough Chase winner Racing Demon. Monkerhostin ran a blinder when touched off by Kicking King when this race was run at Sandown last Christmas, and he has had just the one run behind Racing Demon this time round, while Exotic Dancer pulled off the Paddy Power-boylesports.com double at Cheltenham and continues on the upgrade. They will all give good accounts no doubt, but it is time to herald a new superstar, so step forward Kauto Star.
Ballycassidy (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, lost place when blundered 14th, soon beaten, 5th of 8, well behind Ever Present (10-10) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Commercial Flyer (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up, headway from 15th, chasing leaders when fell 3 out in race won by D'Argent (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft, 15 ran.
Exotic Dancer (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 11th, shaken up to challenge approaching 2 out, led last, ran on, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft beating Knowhere (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Kauto Star (FR) 4-9fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, headway 6th, left in narrow lead 8th, soon heade, led 3 out, hit 2 out, soon in command, drew right away flat, won at Sandown 2m chs Grd 1 (1) sft beating Voy Por Ustedes (11-7) by 7l, 7 ran.
Monet's Garden (IRE) 4-11fav (11-10) Jumped well, made all, ridden 2 out, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 2m 4f chs (3) hvy in Oct beating Mid Dancer (11-10) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Monkerhostin (FR) 13-8jt-fav (11-6) In touch, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Racing Demon (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Ollie Magern 25-1 (11-8) Led, ridden after 3 out, headed last, no extra, 4th of 6, 19l behind Kauto Star (11-8) at Haydock 3m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Nov.
Puntal (FR) 20-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, led 8th, headed 13th, weakened 16th, 5th of 15, 11l behind D'Argent (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft.
Racing Demon (IRE) 13-8jt-fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led after 2 out, jumped right last, ran on, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov beating Thisthatandtother (11-0) by 4l, 5 ran.
