led, awkward 6th, quickened pace after 3 out, pushed along and joined next, ridden and headed last, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, lost 2nd towards finish
held up in 4th on inside, 2nd going well after 3 out, pushed along and every chance next, lost 2nd before the last, rallied into 2nd again towards finish, no chance with winner
chased leader, not fluent 7th, not fluent again and lost 2nd briefly 8th, lost 2nd before 4 out, soon ridden and outpaced next, weakened soon after
waited with in last pair, closer before 3 out, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, rallied on inside before next, went 2nd before led last, stayed on strongly run-in
raced in close 3rd, went 2nd briefly 8th, definite 2nd before 4 out until after 3 out, outpaced turning in, 4th and beaten when bad mistake 2 out
Not So Sleepy tends to race with the throttle fully open and, though placed in the Cesarewitch in the autumn, it would require a giant leap of faith to expect to him to stay 3m, even around here. Goshen is also stepping up markedly in distance and is another who likes his own way out in front. Miranda did win easily over course and distance last month but she has a lot to find with the principals in this, despite her mare’s allowance. Champ and PAISLEY PARK have met four times in the last 12 months. The former came out on top in this last year and on their most recent clash in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury but the latter had the advantage twice at Cheltenham last season and could be the one best suited if the two confirmed front-runners in this take each other on.
Champ (IRE) 11-8fav (11-8) Shade keen, made all, big jump 2 out, over one length ahead last, hard ridden and strongly pressed run-in, battled on gamely, won at Newbury 3m (1) gd in Nov beating Paisley Park (11-8) by nk, 5 ran.
Goshen (FR) 6-5 (11-6) Chased leader, led going well home turn, ridden and pressed 2 out, on top last, ran on well flat, won at Ascot 2m 3f (1) gd in Nov beating Brewin'upastorm (11-0) by 8 1/2l, 4 ran.
Not So Sleepy 18-1 (11-10) Prominent, not fluent 5th, slow jump 6th, pushed along before 3 out, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 5, 14 1/4l behind Constitution Hill (11-10) at Newcastle 2m (1) gs in Nov.
Paisley Park (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Held up in last pair, closer on inside into 3rd at 8th, went 2nd turning in, ridden before 2 out, driven between last two, over 1 length down when not fluent last, edged right and battled on well run-in, just held, 2nd of 5, nk behind Champ (11-8) at Newbury 3m (1) gd in Nov.
Miranda (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) Tracked leader who soon went clear, closer at 8th, led going well before 2 out, soon clear, very easily, won at Kempton 3m lst (1) sft in Nov beating Martello Sky (11-4) by 11l, 3 ran.
