wore ear plugs in prelims, jumped well, tracked leading pair, close 2nd approaching 8th, led going well 3 out, clear next, very easily
waited with in rear, closer in 4th place after 5th, 3rd place 8th, 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace, never any chance with winner
chased leading trio, hit 2nd, dropped to rear after 5th, blundered badly 7th, tailed off
led and raced freely, pushed along and headed 3 out, lost 2nd next, kept on same pace in 3rd
tracked leader until before 8th, 4th and struggling when hit 4 out, soon beaten, tailed off
This is a decent field but only one of ALTIOR’s four rivals is rated within 20lb of Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten chaser, a seven-times Grade 1 winner who is already a hot favourite for the Queen Mother in March. He won a better race that this at Sandown on his reappearance. Special Tiara won this in 2016 and was still going well when falling last year but he’s frequently come off worst against the selection lately and will face a battle for the lead from Speredek and Diakali. Diego Du Charmil disappointed on his reappearance and looks well held on previous form.
Altior (IRE) 8-13fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, went 2nd 4 out, every chance 2 out, led approaching last, ran on strongly, won at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Dec beating Un De Sceaux (11-7) by 4l, 4 ran.
Diego Du Charmil (FR) 5-2 (11-10) Tracked leader, effort to lead briefly 4 out, ridden after next, weakened from 2 out, last of 5, 32 1/2l behind God's Own (11-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Diakali (FR) 11-1 (11-2) With leader, hit 4th, under pressure after 4 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up after 2 out, at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Special Tiara 8-1 (11-4) Close up, left in lead 2nd, soon went on, jumped slightly left 8th, reduced lead from before 4 out, soon headed, no impression and slight mistake 2 out, one pace in 3rd after, 3rd of 8, 20 1/2l behind Castlegrace Paddy (11-4) at Cork 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Speredek (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Led, mistake 5th, kept on gamely, 2 lengths ahead 2 out, headed and no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Caid Du Lin (10-11) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
