tracked leaders, mistake 1st, fell 9th
mid-division, headway 5 out, challenged on bit 3 out, led approaching last, ridden out
led, headed 14th, weakened after 3 out, continuing to weaken when unseated rider 2 out
in touch, lost place 12th, outpaced 5 out
tracked leader, mistake 13th, ridden after 4 out, weakened before 2 out
in touch, headway 10th, outpaced 4 out, rallied after 2 out, stayed on run in
towards rear, mistake 12th, headway 5 out, ridden after next, no extra approaching last
always in rear
tracked leaders, headway to lead 14th, ridden after 3 out, headed approaching last, kept on
held up in rear, badly hampered and unseated rider 9th
Might Bite won this last year but was most disappointing on his reappearance in the Betfair Chase at Haydock, won again by Bristol De Mai. He also finished behind NATIVE RIVER, Thistlecrack and Clan Des Obeaux, though was eased in the closing stages. The ante-post favourite lost out to Richard Johnson’s mount in a terrific battle for the Gold Cup in March and this is a much more competitive renewal than 12 months ago and one that is likely to be run at a frenetic pace. Colin Tizzard’s eight-year-old relishes a battle and can outpoint his stablemate, only fourth last year behind Double Shuffle and Tea For Two, again. There is maximum confidence behind Politologue after he gave weight and a beating to subsequent Huntingdon winner Charbel at Ascot and Waiting Patiently is unbeaten in six races over the larger obstacles. The northern raider won the Ascot Chase when last seen and was successful over these fences previously, though is also trying 3m for the first time. Coneygree won the Gold Cup as a novice in 2015 having taken the Kauto Star here in the same season but has been hard to train over the last two years.
Bristol De Mai (FR) 13-2 (11-7) Led until 4th, led again 6th, headed 13th, led again 4 out, drew clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Haydock 3m 2f (1) gd in Nov beating Native River (11-7) by 4l, 5 ran.
Clan Des Obeaux (FR) 11-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, not fluent 8th, driven to challenge 2 out, no impression, 4th of 5, 8 3/4l behind Bristol De Mai (11-7) at Haydock 3m 2f (1) gd in Nov.
Coneygree 12-1 (11-12) Prominent, led before 3rd to after next, with leader, led again 8th, headed turning in, no extra between last 2, ridden and stayed on when hard pressed for well held 3rd flat, 3rd of 15, 6 1/4l behind Rock The Kasbah (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Double Shuffle (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Chased winner, driven after 2 out, no impression last, 2nd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Definitly Red (11-6) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Might Bite (IRE) Evensfav (11-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, last of 5, 28 3/4l behind Bristol De Mai (11-7) at Haydock 3m 2f (1) gd in Nov.
Native River (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Prominent, led 4th, headed 6th, not fluent 11th, led again 13th, headed 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Bristol De Mai (11-7) at Haydock 3m 2f (1) gd in Nov.
Politologue (FR) 5-4fav (11-7) Tracked leading pair, close 2nd at 12th, led going well approaching 2 out, ridden and stayed on run-in, won at Ascot 2m 5f (1) gs in Nov beating Charbel (11-1) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Tea For Two 13-2 (11-0) Held up, headway 10th, chased leaders 5 out, stayed on into 3rd, never a threat, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Charbel (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec.
Thistlecrack 10-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, mistakes 8th and 6 out, chased leaders before 4 out, no extra from 2 out, 3rd of 5, 5 3/4l behind Bristol De Mai (11-7) at Haydock 3m 2f (1) gd in Nov.
Waiting Patiently (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Patiently ridden in last pair, not fluent 6th, headway into 2nd 3 out, rider delayed challenge until produced to lead approaching and hit last, clear when hung right and idled run-in, stayed on, won at Ascot 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb beating Cue Card (11-7) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
