held up tracking leaders, went 3rd 8th, disputing close 2nd after next, outright 2nd when hit 10th, dropped to 3rd next, tracked winner again 12th, hit next, ridden and no impression before 3 out, just held on for 2nd
took keen hold early, not fluent 1st, tracked leading pair until approaching 7th until next, chased leaders, 4th when hit 14th, ridden and no impression before 3 out, weakened from next
led 2nd until 9th, chased winner until not fluent 10th, chased leading trio until outpaced 14th, rallied after 2 out, took modest 3rd last strides, almost snatched 2nd
took keen hold, held up last, headway on outside tracking leaders 4th, went 3rd approaching 7th until next, ran wide on bend after 9th, went 2nd 11th until next, chased leading pair, ridden and no impression before 2 out, lost modest 3rd last strides
jumped well, led until 2nd, tracked leader, led again 9th, clear before 3 out, stayed on strongly, eased towards finish, impressive
The declaration of Thistlecrack has certainly put the cat among the pigeons. Last season’s top staying hurdler has won all three starts over fences without breaking sweat and looks a genuine Gold Cup contender in the spring. But 3m around here on good ground may be an insufficient test of stamina and his jumping will be tested by stablemate CUE CARD. Last year’s winner attacks from the front and connections will be eyeing that big bonus on offer for any chaser that wins the Betfair Chase, King George and Gold Cup – the 10-year-old has already won the first leg. Silviniaco Conti is not the horse that won this in 2013 and 2014 and has come off worse in his last three meetings with the selection. Josses Hill comfortably beat last year’s Kauto Star winner Tea For Two in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon but there are stamina concerns here.
Cue Card 15-8fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, soon tracked leaders, not fluent 10th, went 2nd 7 out, led 4 out, clear from 2 out, ridden run-in, won at Haydock 3m (1) hvy in Nov beating Coneygree (11-7) by 15l, 6 ran.
Josses Hill (IRE) 7-4fav (11-6) Made all, drew clear from last, stayed on strongly, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec beating Tea For Two (11-5) by 6l, 5 ran.
Silviniaco Conti (FR) 13-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, weakened before 4 out, 4th of 6, dist behind Cue Card (11-7) at Haydock 3m (1) hvy in Nov.
Tea For Two 6-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, closed from 6th, not fluent 4 out, went 2nd last, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Josses Hill (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec.
Thistlecrack 1-8fav (11-9) Jumped well, made all, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m 7f (1) gs in Nov beating Bigbadjohn (11-9) by 8l, 5 ran.
