jumped left, took keen hold and tracked leader on inside, led 3 out, slight lead when went left and lost momentum last, headed soon after, one pace in 3rd final 130 yards
held up in last pair, steady headway 9th, went 3rd on inside soon after 2 out, plenty to do when not fluent last, strong run under pressure to lead final 100 yards, won going away
led, hit 9th, headed 3 out, soon dropped to 3rd, lost 3rd soon after 2 out, weakened soon after
held up in touch, steady headway approaching 9th, ridden after 4 out, driven and went 4th between last 2, stayed on same pace and impression on leading trio run-in
took keen hold, chased leading pair, hit 2nd, chased leader from from 3 out, challenged and upsides last, led soon after and driven, headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards
chased leaders, no extra from 2 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Simonsig's defection has taken much of the gloss off this Grade 2 as stablemates Tanks For That and French Opera aren't in the same league as the grey, though the latter did win this two years ago. Stagecoach Pearl and Pigeon Island appear to have a bit to find at the weights while Majala steps out of novice company but has a first preference at Warwick today. Ruby Walsh has chosen the much-improved Shooters Wood ahead of EDGARDO SOL but that's allowed A P McCoy to pick up the ride on the Nicholls' versatile six-year-old, who hasn't done a lot wrong over fences or hurdles this season. If he can recapture the form he showed at Aintree last April, he could be the one to beat as Wishfull Thinking disappointed at Kempton over Christmas after winning a minor contest at Cheltenham.
Edgardo Sol (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Settled off leaders in 3rd, ridden and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Sizing Europe (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f Grade 1 chs (1) sft in Dec.
Wishfull Thinking 15-8 (11-6) Prominent, not fluent 1st or 4th, led after 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 5, 33l behind Sanctuaire (11-10) at Kempton 2m Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec.
Shooters Wood (IRE) 11-4fav (10-1) Led, joined 5 out, 5 lengths clear 2 out, ridden and hard pressed after last, headed narrowly flat, rallied to regain lead towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) hvy in Dec beating His Excellency (10-9) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Tanks For That (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in last pair, weakened and pulled up before 2 out (usual 3 out), in a race won by William's Wishes (10-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) hvy in Nov, 7 ran.
French Opera 11-2 (11-0) Raced wide, tracked leader, not fluent 3rd, lost place 12th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 5, 27l behind Menorah (11-5) at Kempton 2m 4f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec.
Pigeon Island 4-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, slow 9th, driven to challenge 4 out, soon outpaced, rallied last, kept on well, 3rd of 6, 13l behind Dashing George (10-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy.
Stagecoach Pearl 2-1fav (11-10) Led, mistake 3rd, ridden approaching last (usual 3 out), headed soon after, weakened on long flat, last of 6, 45l behind Idarah (10-11) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
Majala (FR) 5-2 (11-3) With leader, led 3rd, mistake 4 out, challenged 2 out, ran on strongly (one fence omitted), won at Haydock 2m nov chs (2) hvy in Dec beating Ohio Gold (10-12) by 8l, 5 ran.
