hit 1st, led to 2nd, pressed leader, led 6th until 9th, weakened after next, well behind when blundered 4 out, tailed off
prominent in chasing group, until lost place 10th, blundered badly 3 out, headway approaching last, stayed on well, ran on to press for 3rd but no chance with front pair
always behind, ridden and struggling 10th, tailed off
behind, hit 12th, some late headway but never in contention
never going well in rear, under pressure 7th, blundered 11th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 3 out
prominent in chasing group, chased leader 3 out, upsides last, driven ahead final 50 yards, joined on line
chased leader, blundered 8th, went 2nd 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened next
chased clear leading pair, ridden 12th, weakened 4 out,
close up in chasing group, headway to chase leading pair 12th, ridden 4 out, weakened soon after 2 out
behind, ridden approaching 4 out, mistake next, some late headway but no danger
held up in rear, some headway on outside when hit 4 out, blundered and unseated rider next
held up in mid-division, headway on inside from 4 out, ridden and still disputing moderate 3rd last, weakened flat
led 2nd until 6th, narrow lead from 9th, ridden and joined last, narrowly headed final 50 yards, driven and rallied to force dead heat on line
close up in chasing group, effort 3 out, one pace from next, just held on for 3rd but no chance with front pair
behind, stayed on from 3 out but never a danger
Nonrunner
Claymore, Albuhera, Made In Japan and Windsor Boy are a handful against the field in another tough race to call and the narrow vote is given to the last named. The selection won well last time out when beating Hakim with plenty in hand and he looks sure to improve again for this longer trip. He remains on a fair mark and with his yard back amongst the winners he looks the value bet in an open affair. Claymore rates the main danger as he goes well at the track and won well last time out when beating Better Days. However he looks vulnerable to a less exposed type and for that reason he is opposed. Albuhera is game and consistent and is sure to run his race with this faster surface in his favour. However he was let down by his jumping last time so can not be put forward with any confidence. Made In Japan is another that could go well on his latest third behind Fondmort but he has yet to prove he stays this trip. Europa was a fair third behind A Glass In Thyme last time and is another with place claims but he looks weighted up to his best. Of the remainder, Supreme Prince has conditions to suit and is another with place claims but he is another that can be let down by his jumping and with this in mind for the winner we return to the progressive Windsor Boy.
Supreme Prince (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) In touch, ridden and struggling after 8th, finished tired, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Our Vic (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 4f chs Grd 1 (1) hvy in Feb.
Albuhera (IRE) 6-5fav (11-6) Not fluent, tracked leaders, ridden and dropped rear 13th, no impression after 3 out, soon weakened, last of 4, 25l behind Napolitain (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f nov chs Grd 1 (1) gf in Feb.
Seebald (GER) 33-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 11th of 13, well behind Jazz d'Estruval (10-9) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (B) sft in Dec.
Hors La Loi III (FR) 13-2 (11-7) Held up, ridden 4 out, ran on well from last, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Cerium (11-2) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp chs (2) gd in Feb.
Europa 16-1 (11-1) Held up, headway halfway, every chance 3 out, ridden and slightly hampered 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 15, 2 1/2l behind A Glass In Thyne (10-12) at Southwell 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Jan.
Cornish Sett (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Prominent, kept on well from 3 out but no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 15l behind Racing Demon (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs in Feb.
Made In Japan (JPN) 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on again final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Fondmort (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Jan.
Iznogoud (FR) 125-1 (10-9) Towards rear, blundered 1st, never dangerous, 12th of 40, well behind Hedgehunter (11-1) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Apr.
Claymore (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Held up, headway after 5 out, challenged 3 out, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, stayed on from last, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs (2) sft in Feb beating Better Days (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Full House (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, driven approaching 4 out, weakened before next, 6th of 12, 27l behind Dempsey (11-12) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan.
Redemption 20-1 (11-0) In touch until weakened 3 out, 8th of 12, 20l behind Fire Dragon (11-0) at Sandown 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb.
Marcel (FR) 5-4fav (11-2) Held up, headway approaching 6th, every chance 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Norma Hill (10-1) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gf in Jan.
Horus (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Led, ridden 4 out, headed soon after and weakened 2 out, 3rd of 9, 11l behind All In The Stars (10-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Feb.
Windsor Boy (IRE) 7-4fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, clear approaching last, kept on well, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Jan beating Hakim (11-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
Quazar (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Always behind, pushed along and struggling from 9th, tailed off from 5 out, 8th of 9, well behind Claymore (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs (2) sft in Feb.
Hand Inn Hand 14-1 (11-7) In touch in 5th, stayed on to chase leading trio approaching 3 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 7, 30l behind Kauto Star (11-7) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 1 (A) sft in Dec.
Non So (FR) 9-2 (11-11) Held up, ridden and headway after 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Claymore (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs (2) sft in Feb.
Chauvinist (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Led, hit 9th, headed after 12th, soon weakened, 6th of 16, 18l behind Bold Bishop (11-3) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Nov.
