made most until mistake 10th, led again next, headed 4 out, weakening when blundered 3 out
chased leaders, ridden and effort after 4 out, chased winner next, brief chance approaching last, kept on under pressure
in touch, headway halfway to chase leaders, pushed along and lost place 13th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out
with leader, led 10th to 11th, led again 4 out, pushed along next, ridden approaching last, stayed on well
held up in rear, headway 6 out, outpaced after 4 out, rallied 2 out, disputed second last, no extra towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner after 4 out until 3 out, one pace when not fluent 2 out, no extra run in
in rear struggling halfway, lost touch 6 out
held up in rear, mistake 12th, soon pushed along, lost touch 5 out
This is one of the most eagerly-awaited races of the National Hunt season as it features a clash between last year’s winner Thistlecrack, last season’s top novice Might Bite and the fast-improving BRISTOL DE MAI. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ grey looks to be finally fulfilling his potential this season. His victory in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby has worked out really well and he won the Betfair Chase at Haydock in a hack canter. He looks more straightforward than Might Bite, who is a resolute galloper but fell on this card 12 months ago with the race at his mercy and is still prone to the odd error. Thistlecrack would be a threat to all if back to his best and makes more appeal than stablemate and doubtful stayer Fox Norton. Whisper was beaten twice by Might Bite earlier in the year but is a smart chaser who will run his race. Tea For Two is a Grade 1 winner but hard to catch right and Double Shuffle and Traffic Fluide look outclassed.
Bristol De Mai (FR) 11-10fav (11-7) Made all, drew clear from 5 out, unchallenged after, mistake 2 out, very easily, won at Haydock 3m 2f (1) hvy in Nov beating Cue Card (11-7) by dist, 6 ran.
Double Shuffle (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, headway on outside chasing leaders 13th, 3rd after 3 out, went 2nd before the last, never any chance with impressive winner, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Top Notch (11-4) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) gs in Nov.
Fox Norton (FR) 8-13fav (11-7) Held up in rear but in touch, jumped well, took closer order halfway, chased leaders after 4 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, ran on closing stages, always held, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Politologue (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Might Bite (IRE) 4-9fav (11-7) Tracked leader, went left at 12th, led after next, made rest, drew clear approaching 2 out, unchallenged after, pushed out, won at Sandown 3m lst (1) gs in Nov beating Frodon (11-7) by 8l, 4 ran.
Tea For Two 9-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 4th, chased front pair after 5 out, went 2nd behind clear and easy winner 3 out, tired when ridden after next, weakened and lost place after last, 4th of 6, dist behind Bristol De Mai (11-7) at Haydock 3m 2f (1) hvy in Nov.
Thistlecrack 11-10fav (11-0) Shade keen, raced wide, led briefly, tracked winner, ridden and no impression when lost 2nd after 2 out, weakened before the last, 5th of 6, 13l behind Beer Goggles (11-0) at Newbury 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Traffic Fluide (FR) 28-1 (11-7) Held up behind, struggling 13th, never a threat, 5th of 6, dist behind Bristol De Mai (11-7) at Haydock 3m 2f (1) hvy in Nov.
Whisper (FR) 8-1 (11-8) In touch, headway chasing leaders 10th, led 3 out, ridden and stayed on run-in, headed last strides, 2nd of 20, nk behind Total Recall (10-8) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Dec.
