tracked winner, ridden to challenge 4 out, kept on, held from next
held up, not fluent 3rd (water), reminders, losing touch when went left and hit 8th, went 4th flat
tracked leaders, hit 9th, soon ridden, hit 4 out, weakened after next
chased leaders, 3rd and ridden when not fluent 3 out, not pace of leading pair
made all, shaken up when challenged 4 out, kept on well, ridden out
Take Master Minded to cause an upset by getting the better of Voy Por Ustedes but don't underestimate Pablo Du Charmil. Voy Por Ustedes made an uncharacteristic mistake in last year's renewal but will be fancied to make amends this time around. He bounced back from defeat in the Tingle Creek to win comfortably at Kempton and sets the standard. However, the concession of weight to some useful rivals means that his task is far from straightforward. Master Minded is by far the most interesting of the opposition having recorded a very, very stylish victory at Sandown. His trainer has expressed doubts as to whether he has the speed for the minimum trip but he easily got the better of some crack two mile handicappers that day whilst the presence of the trailblazing novice Mahogany Blaze should ensure that this race is run at a decent clip. Pablo Du Charmil and L'Antartique will be playing for place money unless something untoward occurs but the receipt of 6lbs from Voy Por Ustedes makes Master Minded an extremely tempting proposition.
Voy Por Ustedes (FR) 2-5fav (11-10) Chased leaders, hit 5th, went 2nd next, chased new leader from 7th, led 3 out, in command 2 out, shaken up approaching last, eased near finish, won at Kempton 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec beating Hoo La Baloo (11-4) by 7l, 7 ran.
L'Antartique (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, pecked 1st, 5th and ridden 4 out, effort on inner after 2 out, weakened before last, last of 6, 34l behind Denman (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Dec.
Pablo Du Charmil (FR) 11-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, blundered 8th, edged left from 2 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Howle Hill (11-4) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs (2) gd.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 2-1 (11-7) With leader, mistake 4th, led 7th, hit 3 out, strongly challenged approaching last, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Wee Robbie (11-0) at Ascot 2m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Master Minded (FR) 9-4fav (11-7) In touch, led 2 out, ridden out, won at Sandown 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Jan beating Hasty Prince (11-1) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Monzon (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, mistake 4th, not fluent next, hung left and jumped badly left from 9th, soon beaten, 5th of 6, 32l behind Wee Robbie (11-0) at Ascot 2m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
