with leader until led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no extra towards finish
held up towards rear, pulled very hard, shaken up 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway from 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never able to get on terms
held up in touch, not clear run on inside and lost place over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, eased right down close home
held up in touch, went 3rd 6f out, challenged 2f out, soon led, headed just over 1f out, stayed on
held up in mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, led just over 1f out, ran on
held up in rear, took keen hold, ridden and well beaten 3f out
made most until over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, modest headway on outside over 2f out, never dangerous, soon well beaten
held up towards rear, ridden and struggling over 2f out, some lat progress, never any chance
mid-division, ridden and in touch over 3f out, well held over 2f out
chased front pair until 6f out, ridden and weakened from 3f out
Sgt Reckless will be popular in this as he's already won over course and distance and has run well over hurdles lately behind the useful Amore Alto either side of another victory here. Mick Channon's charge seems sure to be thereabouts. Ranjaan is another who likes it here and generally keeps good company over hurdles while a sound surface clearly suits Staigue Fort. Edmaaj may be happier with no obstacles to negotiate but we also expect a big run from BENZANNO. His jumping wasn't great on his hurdling debut at Catterick but that isn't an issue in this and, already a winner on Polytrack and second twice over 1m2f on Turf last year, he may just have more natural speed than most of these including stayer Benbane Head.
Benbane Head (USA) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, challenged 8th, led after next, headed and stumbled 2 out, led again before last, headed flat, stayed on, 2nd of 20, hd behind Trackmate (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Benzanno (IRE) 9-4 (11-6) Tracked leaders, slow 4th, soon lost place, rallied approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Yorkist (10-13) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Christopher Wren (USA) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 5th, led 3 out, ridden and idled after 2 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Baile Anrai (11-9) at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Edmaaj (IRE) 5-6fav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd and keen, soon dropped into rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd and ridden before 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 4, 11l behind Beau Lake (11-3) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy.
Milord (GER) 8-15fav (11-4) Held up mid-division, headway on bit before 2 out, led 2 out, 2 lengths up when fell last, in a race won by Pink Gin (11-4) at Towcester 2m mdn hdl (4) hvy, 11 ran.
Ranjaan (FR) 4-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden before last, faded run-in, 6th of 10, 10l behind Makari (11-0) at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Sgt Reckless 10-3 (11-5) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Amore Alato (11-8) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Sonoran Sands (IRE) 9-1 (10-2) Mid-division, some headway before 2 out, soon ridden and beaten, blundered last, 8th of 13, 32l behind Lexi's Boy (11-1) at Sandown 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) sft in Apr '12.
Staigue Fort 7-2 (11-9) Made all, clear when hit final 3, stayed on well, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf in Oct beating Twelve Roses (11-12) by 3l, 7 ran.
Troopingthecolour 20-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, jumped slowly 4th, weakened approaching 2 out, 10th of 14, well behind Higgy's Ragazzo (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr '11.
Tuscan Gold 5-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, 4th of 10, 5l behind Grey Missile (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Adiynara (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Raced wide, help up behind, under pressure when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Beyeh (11-4) at Southwell 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec.
Warrant Officer 14-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, went 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Dubawi Island (11-12) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
