There are a number of course specialists in this and Shanroe Santos and Royal Vacation ran in the race last year, though both finished unplaced. Doing Fine was fourth in 2017, ahead of Houblon Des Obeaux who only won a veterans’ chase here last month but did beat Dark Flame into second with Rathlin Rose last. Classic Ben has never tackled a trip this far but should stay and ran well on his return to action at Bangor. Step Back won the bet365 Gold Cup over track and trip in 2018 and has had wind surgery since last seen while Carole's Destrier is capable when in the mood, though is also returning from an absence. Dragon D'estruval remains an unknown quantity but this test should be ideal for SHARP RESPONSE, who won last season’s North Yorkshire Grand National at Catterick. He looked to be on the way back at Haydock and should be cherry-ripe now.
Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) 11-4fav (11-10) Held up in touch, jumped slowly and lost place 2nd, rallied to track leaders 6th, led before 11th, sent 8 lengths clear next, in command before 2 out, stayed on well (2 fences omitted), won at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov beating Dark Flame (10-5) by 3l, 7 ran.
Royal Vacation (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 8th, went 2nd 17th, every chance 3 out, lost 2nd at the last, stayed on same pace in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 13, 4 3/4l behind Give Me A Copper (11-1) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp lst (1) gs in Nov.
Step Back (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Led until 17th, chased leader until 3 out, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 15, 19l behind Talkischeap (10-11) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Carole's Destrier 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division, badly hampered 7th, some headway on outside after 5 out, blundered next, not recover and pulled up before 2 out, at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Dragon D'Estruval (FR) 8-1 (11-13) Held up, ridden 3 out, some late headway, never a factor, 5th of 13, 13l behind Militarian (11-10) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Sharp Response (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, took closer order on outside after 10th, ridden after 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 10l behind Crievehill (11-12) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Coningsby 12-1 (11-8) Unseated rider 1st, at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Vinnie Lewis (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Always prominent, every chance 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 10, 11 1/2l behind The Caller (10-1) at Sedgefield 3m 5f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Classic Ben (IRE) 10-3fav (11-2) Raced wide mainly tracked leader until ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 8, 8 1/4l behind Graceful Legend (10-12) at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (2) hvy in Nov.
Shanroe Santos (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, lost place 15th, rallied to take 4th before last, stayed on one pace under pressure flat, 4th of 7, 5 3/4l behind One Of Us (10-3) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Get On The Yager 20-1 (10-5) Always behind, blundered 14th, tailed off 3 out (usual 4 out), soon pulled up, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Rathlin Rose (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Chased leaders to 7th, mid-division, struggling 3 out, weakened after next, tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Diesel D'Allier (10-4) at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Dark Flame (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, headway approaching omitted 3 out, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Houblon Des Obeaux (11-10) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Doing Fine (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Behind from 4th, headway under pressure 3 out, chased leaders next, ridden and kept on same pace flat, no impression, 4th of 13, 7 1/4l behind Petite Power (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
