chased leaders on outside, went 3rd 11th (water), pushed along before 3 out, ridden before next, weakened last
led until 3rd, stayed front rank, weakened 2 out
jumped slowly 8th, always towards rear, tailed off when mistake 4 out, never involved
chased leader, went right 7th, led 9th, made rest, went right again 3 out, forged clear before next, went right again last
held up in rear, some headway 9th, struggling 17th, modest 5th run-in, never involved
blundered and unseated rider 1st
in touch, losing place when blundered and unseated rider 17th
held up in rear, blundered 11th (water), tailed off 16th, pulled up before 4 out
mid-division until lost place and dropped towards rear 6th, headway before 16th, pushed along chasing leaders before 4 out, stayed on into 2nd approaching the last, no chance with winner, lost 2nd close home
chased leaders, led 3rd until 9th, chased winner, hit 14th, pushed along before 3 out, no impression before next, lost 2nd and blundered last, weakened into 4th run-in
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 13th, weakened 17th
in rear, tailed off when blundered 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, not fluent 16th, weakening when mistake 4 out
towards rear, some progress before 4 out, never reached leaders and weakened after next
held up towards raer, hit 12th, headway approaching 17th, 3rd run-in, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Bobs Worth won this prestigious chase in 2012 when carrying 7lb more. He made a winning reappearance over hurdles at Aintree to confirm his well-being but, since the turn of the century, only the mighty Denman has been aged older than eight when successful in this. The race has begun to favour those in the top half of the handicap, however, so you couldn't rule out the classy Saphir Du Rheu despite his welter burden. Paul Nicholls has won this three times, though the top weight does still tend to hurdle rather than jump his fences and hasn't had the best of experiences around here in the past. THE YOUNG MASTER was beaten seven lengths by Saphir Du Rheu in the Carlisle race won by Many Clouds before the latter landed this 12 months ago. But Neil Mulholland's rising star is now 12lb better off, taking into account Sam Waley-Cohen's claim. He has been aimed at this and impressed in a recent schooling session alongside stablemate The Druids Nephew so gets the vote. Noel Fehily's mount was behind runner-up Houblon Des Obeaux in this last year, along with Smad Place - Fingal Bay was pulled up and has become disappointing. But Barry Geraghty has a good record in this so confirmed stayer If In Doubt is worth a second look as neither The Giant Bolster nor First Lieutenant are getting any younger and Urano had only three rivals at Wexford last month.
Saphir Du Rheu (FR) 1-5fav (11-12) With leader, led before 2 out, clear before last, kept on strongly, won at Carlisle 2m 4f lst (1) gs in Nov beating The Young Master (11-8) by 7l, 3 ran.
The Giant Bolster 33-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd 4 out, no extra next, weakening in moderate 6th when fell 2 out, at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Towards rear of mid-division, pushed along and struggling after 14th, never involved, 9th of 15, 20 3/4l behind Pendra (10-7) at Ascot 3m hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Smad Place (FR) 6-4fav (11-9) Prominent, led after 3rd, strongly challenged 2 out, ran on strongly after last, won at Kempton 2m 4f (2) gd in Nov beating Fingal Bay (11-6) by 8l, 5 ran.
Bobs Worth (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Made all, ridden after 2 out, not fluent last, pressed briefly flat, stayed on well, won at Aintree 2m 4f (2) sft in Nov beating Simonsig (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
The Young Master 9-2fav (11-8) Led and jumped left, headed before 2 out, kept on and no impression on winner, 2nd of 3, 7l behind Saphir Du Rheu (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f lst (1) gs in Nov.
Splash of Ginge 20-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden 4 out, weakened flat, 7th of 20, 11 1/2l behind Annacotty (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
If In Doubt (IRE) 18-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, hampered 1st, slight mistakes 7th and 16th, no impression entering straight, pulled up before last, at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp sft in Apr.
First Lieutenant (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along after 3 out and 3rd before next, under pressure and no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace, 4th of 5, 6 3/4l behind Road To Riches (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Fingal Bay (IRE) 15-8fav (11-6) Led 2nd, headed after next, remained prominent, driven to challenge 3 out, every chance next, no extra flat, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Smad Place (11-9) at Kempton 2m 4f (2) gd in Nov.
Benbens (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, went 3rd at 12th, led approaching 2 out, 1 length clear last, ridden and kept on well flat, won at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Russian Regent (10-10) by 5l, 8 ran.
Al Co (FR) 10-1fav (10-9) Held up mid-division, ridden and outpaced before 5 out, plugged on and never dangerous, 7th of 29, 24 1/4l behind Wayward Prince (10-1) at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Ned Stark (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, pushed along and one pace in 5th before hit 2 out, plugged on, 6th of 15, 10 3/4l behind Pendra (10-7) at Ascot 3m hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Urano (FR) 5-4fav (11-0) Raced in 3rd, not fluent 1st, slight mistake 9th, on terms approaching straight, led run-in and stayed on best, won at Wexford 3m 2f lst (1) Yielding in Oct beating Gold Patrol (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Theatre Guide (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Raced wide tracking leader until 3rd, 2nd again 7th, hit 10th, lost 2nd approaching 4 out, one pace in 3rd when edged left from 3 out, 3rd of 8, 10 1/2l behind Wakanda (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp lst (1) sft in Oct.
The Druids Nephew (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, not fluent 5th, mistake 7th, ridden and lost touch after 9th, tailed off, 6th of 9, dist behind Kilcooley (11-9) at Wetherby 3m (1) sft in Oct.
Fox Appeal (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 3rd 2 out, ridden and one pace between last two, soon dropped to 4th, went 3rd again towards finish, 3rd of 15, 6 1/4l behind Pendra (10-7) at Ascot 3m hcp (1) gd in Oct.
