chased leader until 3rd, lost place quickly next, struggling in last pair 6th, pulled up before next
towards rear, only 5th and plenty to do jumping 4 out, headway chasing leading trio next, closing in 3rd place approaching last, ridden to lead run-in, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, 2nd before 4 out, led 3 out, went badly right 2 out, strongly pressed when went right again last, ridden and headed run-in, kept on same pace
chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd, led after 16th, dived at next, ridden and headed 3 out, chased leader until 2 out, no extra last
of fthe pace in mid-division, blundered badly and lost place 8th, behind when pulled up before 13th
chased leaders, weakened after 16th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
led until after 16th, chased leader until before 4 out, chased leaders, weakened next
off the pace in mid-division, towards rear 8th, tailed off 11th, went badly left 15th, pulled up 17th
towards rear, fell 10th
behind, mistake 5th, tailed off 15th, pulled up 17th
chased leaders, ridden after 16th, outpaced when mistake next, poor 6th when mistake 3 out, eased, tailed off
held up towards rear, steady headway into 6th place before 12th, stumbled 16th, 3rd 4 out, 2nd and challenged 2 out, every chance last, no extra in 3rd final 100 yards
Shotavodka won this last year when only a pound lower and David Pipe’s stable also won it 12 months earlier with Soll. He was a 10-year-old at the time and that age band has been successful in the last seven renewals. HARRY TOPPER (NAP) was among the first off the bridle at Exeter last month but finished with a rare rattle and would have snatched second in another stride or two. Shotavodka, Katenko and Al Co were among the also-rans that day and Kim Bailey’s one-time Gold Cup hope has a good chance to get back on track here. Loose Chips is very consistent but is better on easier tracks than this while it remains to be seen if O'Faolains Boy’s run at Ascot has blown away all the cobwebs. Rocky Creek will appreciate a return to more conventional obstacles after failing to take to Cheltenham’s cross-country fences last time but No Duffer spit the dummy out at Kempton after winning at Doncaster and is not one to trust.
Rocky Creek (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, lost place 7th, pushed along 19th, behind from next, bumped 27th, well beaten after, 6th of 10, dist behind Urgent De Gregaine (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Just A Par (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 4th, beaten when pulled up before 2 out, at Musselburgh 4m 1f hcp (2) gd in Feb.
No Duffer 10-1 (11-6) Raced wide, chased leaders, pushed along after 11th, ridden and weakening when hampered 14th, tailed off and pulled up before the last, at Kempton 3m hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Harry Topper 5-1 (11-6) Towards rear, jumped slowly and dropped to rear 10th, mistake 11th, rallied approaching 4 out, stayed on well run-in, almost snatched modest 2nd, 4th of 12, 5 1/4l behind Perfect Candidate (11-12) at Exeter 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Seventh Sky (GER) 15-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Killala Quay (10-9) at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) gd in Feb.
O'Faolains Boy (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Held up in chasing group, never involved, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) sft in Feb.
Loose Chips 9-1 (11-0) Led until 2 out, chased winner, ridden between last 2, held last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Otago Trail (11-12) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Al Co (FR) 16-1 (11-1) Jumped left, chased leaders, weakened rapidly 12th, tailed off 14th, 11th of 12, dist behind Perfect Candidate (11-12) at Exeter 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Goulanes (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway before 12th, lost place 15th, pulled up before 17th, at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Turban (FR) 33-1 (10-8) Behind, jumped slowly 1st, struggling when mistake 12th, modest 6th when mistake 18th, blundered next, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind Otago Trail (11-12) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Katenko (FR) 16-1 (10-10) Never better than mid-division, weakened 12th,, 8th of 12, 31 1/4l behind Perfect Candidate (11-12) at Exeter 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Shotavodka (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, ridden after 14th, weakened 2 out, 7th of 12, 26 1/4l behind Perfect Candidate (11-12) at Exeter 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
