held up and keen early, headway 13th, disputed 2nd from 3 out, close 3rd when slightly short of room just after last, switched right and not quicken flat
always prominent, led 8th until 13th, ridden after 3 out, led again last, stayed on well
held up in touch, headway 11th, ridden when short of room on bend approaching 4 out, soon no impression
disputed lead until led 6th, headed 8th, with leader until led 13th, ridden 2 out, headed last, not quicken flat
led until 6th, weakened approaching 10th, tailed off 13th, pulled up before 14th
held up in rear, headway 5th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened well before 3 out
in touch, lost place when not fluent 8th, well behind from 12th
held up in rear, mistake 4th, headway 6th, behind from 12th
This is an excellent line-up for the Aon Chase, with the vote just going to Celestial Gold ahead of Strong Flow, but there are plenty of other interesting runners in the field. The Martin Pipe-trained seven-year-old has been a revelation this season, winning both the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham, and the Hennessy Gold Cup over a slightly longer trip here last time. With only seven races under his belt, he has plenty of scope for further improvement and looks set to play a leading part in this contest. With Strong Flow and Gingembre in the starting line-up, we also have the 2003 and 2002 winners in the Hennessy, although the latter needed an inquiry before being handed, figuratively, the prestigious Cup. Strong Flow left a huge impression when gaining his triumph but was then injured landing Kempton's Feltham Novices' Chase. Connections have been patient with him and he returned from his lay-off to run well over hurdles at Warwick last time. His target is the Cheltenham Gold Cup and he will need to show up well today to keep that particular date. Gingembre has been off for even longer and will probably need today's run. Much as Sir Rembrandt was runner-up in last year's Gold Cup, he has yet to sparkle this season although he remains the highest rated in the contest, while the enigmatic Valley Henry has been absent since April but, at his best - which includes a win in this race in 2003 - he would have to be given a chance. The remainder make up a good supporting cast but, for today, we take Celestial Gold to score and further enhance his Cheltenham Gold Cup claims.
Celestial Gold (IRE) 9-4fav Keen, held up well in rear, steady headway from 17th, challenged 2 out, led last, stayed on well under pressure flat, won at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Nov beating Ollie Magern by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Farmer Jack 16-1 Held up in rear, steady headway from 9th, effort 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, no impression and lost 3rd run-in, 4th of 16, 9l behind Buckby Lane at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Jan.
Sir Rembrandt (IRE) 3-1fav Mid-divsion and pushed along, headway 12th, ridden chased winner approaching 2 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Chives at Haydock 3m chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Dec.
Strong Flow (IRE) 15-8fav Held up, headway approaching 8th, ridden and switched right approaching 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Celtic Son at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (B) sft in Jan.
Ballycassidy (IRE) 11-1 Raced in 4th, slightly hampered 4th, lost touch from 16th, blundered 4 out, 5th of 7, well behind Grey Abbey at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Jan.
Gingembre (FR) 14-1 In touch, mistake 6th, ridden halfway, tailed off when pulled up at the 24th in race won by Monty's Pass at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Apr '03, 40 ran.
Ravenscar 9-1 Chased leader, led 11th, rider lost irons and headed 13th, ridden and every chance last, no extra flat, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Captain Corelli at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (E) gs.
Valley Henry (IRE) 5-1 Tracked leader, not fluent 11th, blundered badly next, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 8, 26l behind Tiutchev at Aintree 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (A) gd in Apr.
