in rear, mistake 3rd, slightly detached from remainder of field, began to struggle 3 out (usual 4 out) and weakened
settled in fourth, headway and travelling well enough passing omitted 3 out, soon ridden and no extra
close up in third until going second after 3 out (usual 4 out), travelled well to press leader before 2 out, chased winner but awkward last, one pace
made all and jumped well, pressed on run to 2 out but quickened, responded well to pressure and stayed on strongly
sat outside leader until losing second after jumping 3 out (usual 4 out), rallied to challenge for second 2 out, not quicken but stayed on same pace
NonRunner
A cracking renewal but Nicky Henderson is convinced he has the 2018 winner ALTIOR back to his best and, if that’s the case, the prolific 10-year-old will take all the beating. Politologue won this in 2017 and took a sub-standard Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March but is still rated 3lb lower than the selection. Paul Nicholls also runs Greaneteen, who has more scope, but the going may have turned against the other six-year-old Rouge Vif. Brewin'upastorm could run better than the forecast odds suggest if there is a strong gallop but this looks a very stiff task for Irish raider Castlegrace Paddy.
Brewin'upastorm (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Held up, in rear when hit 10th, headway 3 out, ridden and weakened from 2 out, last of 6, 20 1/4l behind Imperial Aura (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Nov.
Castlegrace Paddy (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, soon 3rd, 2nd from 5 out, on terms before 3 out, soon led, strongly pressed and stayed on best run-in, won at Navan 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov beating A Plus Tard (12-0) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Greaneteen (FR) 15-8fav (11-3) Mid-division on inside, closed after 8th, went 2nd before 4 out, 2 lengths down last, driven flat, stayed on well, led close home, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Nov beating Moonlighter (10-8) by nk, 10 ran.
Politologue (FR) 6-1 (11-10) Made virtually all, clear before 2 out, ridden approaching last, driven flat, unchallenged, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar beating Dynamite Dollars (11-10) by 9 1/2l, 5 ran.
Rouge Vif (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, niggled along to lead before 3 out, good jump 2 out and last, stayed on strongly run in, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Western Miller (10-4) by 7 1/2l, 13 ran.
Altior (IRE) 1-3fav (11-6) Bit keen, held up tracking leaders, left tracking leading pair 3rd, travelling well 3 out, upsides last, ridden to lead run-in, soon comfortably clear, won at Newbury 2m (1) gd in Feb beating Sceau Royal (11-6) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
