rear, slightly detached in 5th at 1st where mistake and fell
towards rear, 4th after 1st, mistake and bumped rival at 5th, 3rd before 4 out where not fluent, moderate 3rd before 2 out, dropped to moderate 4th and weakened before last
led at sedate early pace, not fluent at 2nd, pressed at 7th, headed 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd before 1st, 2nd at 4th, challenged leader at 7th, led narrowly 3 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden and led before last, asserted run-in, driven out
veered left start, soon 3rd, 2nd before 1st, 3rd at 4th, bumped at 5th, dropped to 4th before 4 out where pecked, slight mistake 3 out, moderate 4th before 2 out, moderate 3rd before last, kept on same pace
Paul Townend has ridden Chacun Pour Soi to five Grade 1 victories but preferred ENERGUMENE in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham as he does here. That race was devalued by the poor run of Shishkin and by Chacun Pour Soi coming to grief five out but the winner travelled well throughout and should have no problems with third-placed Envoi Allen. Andy Dufresne and Captain Guinness have won good races in their time but don't look up to this.
Andy Dufresne (IRE) 10-3fav (11-11) Wore hood to post, chased leaders, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, went 2nd run-in, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Global Citizen (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) hvy in Mar.
Captain Guinness (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, some headway when mistake 4 out, chasing leaders in 5th when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 33 1/2l behind Fakir D'Oudairies (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Chacun Pour Soi (FR) 8-1 (11-10) With leader, led 2nd, jumped right and not fluent 3rd, narrow lead when got in tight, stumbled and unseated rider 9th, at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Energumene (FR) 5-2 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway going well on outside 9th, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, asserting last, came well clear flat, easily, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar beating Funambule Sivola (11-10) by 8 1/2l, 7 ran.
Envoi Allen (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Led until 2nd, 2nd until 4th, stayed handy, led 3 out, headed and not fluent 2 out, soon 3rd and no impression, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Energumene (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
