held up off the pace in 6th, headway chasing leaders approaching 4 out, went 2nd between last 2, ridden and every chance from elbow on run-in, just failed
chased clear leader, closer at 7th, challenging for the lead when mistake 9th, chased winner 4 out until before 2 out, chased leaders, weakening when mistake last
off the pace in 5th, closer at 8th, pushed along approaching 4 out, weakened before 2 out
always behind, awkward 8th, pushed along and struggling before 4 out, never a factor
chased leaders in 3rd until approaching 9th, chased leaders, staying on under pressure when not much room briefly on inside from elbow on run-in, strong challenge near finish, just failed
off the pace in 4th, closer at 7th, led 4 out, driven and strongly pressed from elbow on run-in, held on gamely, all out
held up in rear, not much room on rail on bend after 9th, headway approaching next, weakened before 2 out
led and raced freely, soon clear, reduced lead 7th, joined when headed briefly at 9th, headed next (4 out), weakened quickly next, tailed off
held up and off the pace towards rear, mistake 7th, headway on outside chasing leaders approaching 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out until ridden between last 2, chased leaders, weakened run-in
towards rear, not fluent 5th, never involved
DEFI SACRE readily completed a double here 10 days ago and Richard Hobson is trying to strike while the iron is hot with his six-year-old. He’ll have to defy another 5lb rise to complete the hat-trick but that recent victory was franked at Wincanton on Boxing Day. Vado Forte is probably still a few pounds too high but can make the frame again while Amoola Gold is better than he showed at Aintree having finished third here previously. Fitness could be an issue for both I'dliketheoption and Mine's A Pint but it would be no surprise to see them in the firing-line.
Vado Forte (FR) 2-1fav (11-13) In rear, headway before 5 out, went 3rd after 4 out, chased winner before 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 7, 14 1/4l behind Katpoli (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Ardmayle (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Prominent, ridden after 5 out, losing place when not much room before 2 out, 6th of 14, 23 1/4l behind Magic Saint (11-9) at Newbury 2m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Go Long (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders 7th, pushed along before 4 out, weakened soon after, mistake 2 out, 9th of 12, 28 3/4l behind Oldgrangewood (10-6) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
I'dliketheoption (IRE) 10-3 (11-6) Held up in touch, driven to chase leaders after 2 out, never going pace to get on terms, weakened before last, 5th of 7, 19 3/4l behind Atlantic Storm (10-1) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Amoola Gold (GER) 9-2 (11-2) Soon on touch in outside, not fluent 11th, ridden approaching 3 out, beaten from 2 out, 7th of 10, 20 3/4l behind Sammy Bill (11-1) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Defi Sacre (FR) 6-5fav (11-10) Held up in touch, good headway tracking leaders 5 out, went 2nd 3 out, led last, stayed on well run-in, won at Newbury 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Le Coeur Net (11-4) by 1l, 7 ran.
Buck's Bin's (FR) 12-1 (10-11) Led until after 1st, remained prominent, joined leader 6 out, weakened after 3 out, behind when pulled up before next, at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Chozen (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Not jump well, held up in rear, hampered 8th, lost touch from 11th, tailed off when blundered 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in May.
Monsieur D'Arque (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Held up, headway 6th, 4th and one pace 2 out, no extra before last, 4th of 7, 21 1/4l behind Almazhar Garde (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Mine's A Pint 8-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, mistake 1st, headway on outside 13th, challenging when bumped 3 out, led when not fluent 2 out, mistake last, edged right and headed flat, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Poker School (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
