tracked leaders, hit 8th, led 11th until next, prominent, ridden after 4 out, held by winner from next, lost 2nd run-in
held up, reminders after 6th, lost touch 9th, ridden and headway after 11th, weakened after 14th
held up, headway 12th, led after 14th, jumped left from 3 out but soon drew clear easily
held up behind leaders, struggling 11th, not fluent next, pulled up before 13th
led until 4th, chased leaders, struggling and lost place 13th, kept on under strong pressure from 3 out, went 2nd run-in, no chance with winner
jumped right, led 4th until 11th, led next, headed after 14th, soon ridden, kept on same pace from 3 out
chased leaders, ridden after 11th, losing ground when pulled up before next
Kauto Star can confirm his supremacy at the top of the chasing tree with My Way De Solzen and Exotic Dancer likely to be the most obvious dangers. Talk of the champion's demise proved premature after his eclipse at Haydock by Monet's Garden but Kauto Star was back in business at Haydock Park last time out and should barring accidents be up to completing back-to-back successes in this contest. Exotic Dancer had every chance of getting by on that occasion. However, his yard are not in the greatest of form and its difficult to see where the necessary improvement can come from. My Way De Solzen has a little to prove on the Haydock race. It could be that he needed the race and Alan King has said that more can be anticipated here. Taranis has been backed in recent days. The form book says he has a bit to find but he is still progressive. Hi Cloy does not win often while Our Vic takes a massive step up in grade. Racing Demon is almost the forgotten horse these days. His warm up for this consisted of no more than an effective exercise canter in the Peterborough Chase. Kauto Star is the best chaser in Britain at the moment and we believe he can confirm his superiority again come Boxing Day.
Exotic Dancer (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 10th, chased winner 3 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Kauto Star (11-7) at Haydock 3m chs Grd 1 (1) sft in Nov.
Hi Cloy (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, progress into close 2nd 4 out, ridden from next, kept on same pace without threatening winner from 2 out, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Our Ben (11-7) at Cork 2m chs Grd 2 (1) sft.
Kauto Star (FR) 4-5fav (11-7) Chased leaders, not fluent 5th, led 5 out, ridden from last, kept on under pressure towards finish, won at Haydock 3m chs Grd 1 (1) sft in Nov beating Exotic Dancer (11-7) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
My Way de Solzen (FR) 11-4 (11-7) Chased leaders, every chance 4 out, ridden approaching next, weakened approaching 2 out, better for race, 5th of 7, 42l behind Kauto Star (11-7) at Haydock 3m chs Grd 1 (1) sft in Nov.
Our Vic (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Led to 10th, hit 13th, weakened from 5 out, 3rd of 5, 25l behind Exotic Dancer (11-12) at Aintree 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Racing Demon (IRE) 1-4fav (11-11) Made all, jumped right throughout, clear approaching 2 out, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov beating Natal (11-6) by 30l, 2 ran.
Taranis (FR) 7-4fav (10-5) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 4 out, kept on under pressure from last, 4th of 18, 4l behind Millenium Royal (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
