tracked leading pair, left tracking leader 8th, challenged on inside and led soon after 3 out, went left next, ridden between last 2, stayed on strongly to assert towards finish
keen, led until fell 8th
held up in 5th, closer in 4th at 7th, left 3rd next, every chance 3 out, went 2nd next until before the last, soon weakened
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, headway 4 out, tracking leaders on outside going well enough before next, outpaced approaching next, rallied approaching last, went 3rd run-in
tracked leading trio until 7th, hampered next, dropped to last before 3 out, rallied next, went 2nd before the last, ridden and readily outpaced run-in
kept wide, tracked leader, went left 3rd, jumped slowly 5th, left in front 8th, joined 3 out, soon headed, slightly hampered and lost 2nd 2 out, weakened approaching last
We’ll soon be running out of superlatives for ALTIOR, now unbeaten in 13 races over hurdles and fences. Despite an injury scare beforehand, he was impressive again in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham. He’s a superstar among his generation and it’s difficult to envisage defeat here. God's Own was a well-beaten third at Cheltenham and Special Tiara, winner of this in 2015 but put in his place by the selection 12 months ago, was pulled up along with Ar Mad. San Benedeto looks well out his depth but Diego Du Charmil, who is only six, won a Grade 1 novice event at Aintree and this race will tell connections if they have a smart 2m chaser on their hands.
Altior (IRE) Evensfav (11-10) Mid-division, went 4th at the 7th, niggled along before 3 out, not much room and switched right before 2 out, soon close up and challenging, led soon after last, stayed on strongly to draw clear final 130 yards, impressive, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar beating Min (11-10) by 7l, 9 ran.
Ar Mad (FR) 50-1 (11-10) Jumped right, pressed leader until 3rd, lost 2nd 5th, lost place 7th, well behind after 9th, pulled up after 4 out, at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Diego Du Charmil (FR) 5-1 (11-4) In touch, went 2nd before 4 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Aintree 2m (1) sft in Apr beating Petit Mouchoir (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
God's Own (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, headway 9th, challenged after 4 out, led off last bend, mistake and headed 2 out, 4th and beaten when jumped right last, went 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 9, 18l behind Altior (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
San Benedeto (FR) 25-1 (11-7) Held up well off the pace in last, weakened 8th, left remote 4th 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 5, dist behind Un De Sceaux (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f (1) sft in Jan.
Special Tiara 25-1 (11-10) Set good gallop, clear 4th until got in very tight at the 5th, headed 7th, left in lead 4 out, soon headed, slow and lost place 3 out, weakened after, pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
