led, went left 2nd, clear after 2 out, went left and hit last, driven and pressed run-in, headed and no extra close home
took keen hold, held up in last pair, plugging on in modest 4th when blundered last, weakened run-in
took keen hold in rear, never involved, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed along and went 2nd before 2 out, no impression when lost 2nd between last two, soon ridden and one pace in 3rd, dropped to 4th last strides
chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, blundered badly last
held up in 5th place, ridden disputing modest 4th after 2 out, went 3rd last strides
held up in 6th, steady headway tracking leaders 3 out, went 2nd between last two, soon driven, stayed on run-in, led close home
took keen hold, tracked leader, not much room 2nd, lost 2nd before 2 out, soon weakened and eased
took keen hold, held up in last trio, weakened into last pair when mistake 3 out
NonRunner
Discours D'un Roi has his first run for Nicky Henderson following a lengthy absence but could be anything having won twice in minor company in France. Stablemate Maestro Royal is weighted to reverse Cheltenham running with Kapstadt while Robinshill has won three of his last four so can’t be discounted. CHOCALA has come up against potentially smart novices in his two runs to date over timber this season. A winning stayer on the Flat, this could be his opportunity to get off the mark over jumps as his stable is in fine form. John Reel has recent good form on the Flat to his name and has been very lightly raced over hurdles. He could be on a decent mark and market support would be significant.
Robinshill (IRE) 11-10fav (12-5) Made all, ridden before last, held on towards finish, won at Ffos Las 2m (4) hvy in Dec beating Stay Out Of Court (10-12) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Kapstadt (FR) 13-2 (11-2) In rear, pushed along and headway before 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 9, 17 3/4l behind Superb Story (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (2) gd in Jan.
Discours D'un Roi (FR) (11-4) won at Strasbourg 2m 1f sft in Oct beating Contre Tous (10-7) by hd, 8 ran.
Cloonacool (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway on outside chasing leaders before 2 out, pushed along when slightly hampered soon after 2 out, ridden and no impression between last two, 7th of 12, 8 3/4l behind Bigmartre (11-6) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Prairie Town (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division, keen early, outpaced 4 out, well beaten from next, 7th of 9, 14 1/2l behind Byron Flyer (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Chocala (IRE) 10-11fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, 2nd before 2 out, no impression on winner approaching last, stayed on, 2nd of 16, 9l behind Strong Pursuit (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Dec.
Maestro Royal 9-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, mistake 2 out, every chance when hit last, no impression on winner final 100 yards, kept on, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Kapstadt (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
John Reel (FR) 20-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, led 5f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Forceful Appeal (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Krugermac (IRE) 1-4fav (11-5) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, hit 3rd, 2nd before 5th, no impression from 3 out, finished tired, 2nd of 6, 28l behind Chef D'oeuvre (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec.
Faithful Mount 10-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, led 2nd, clear after next until before 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, blundered and almost unseated rider last, no chance after, weakened run-in, 6th of 10, 15 1/4l behind Brain Power (11-10) at Sandown 2m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
