tracked leader, switched left after 3 out, soon challenged, led after next, 2 lengths clear when not fluent last, ridden clear flat, comfortably
tracked front pair, close up 3 out, outpaced by front trio before next, soon ridden, stayed on to regain 3rd after last, no impression
led, hard pressed after 3 out, headed after next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression with winner after last
held up in rear, close up on outside 3 out, soon chased front pair, outpaced next, ridden between last 2, no impression after, lost 3rd after last
It’s a bonus to get a clash between the Arkle winner and the Champion Chase winner this late in the season. Altior didn’t impress everyone when winning the former and may have struggled to maintain his unbeaten record over fences had Charbel not fallen two out. The second did win at Ayr last week, however, after finishing second at Aintree. SPECIAL TIARA only just beat Fox Norton at Cheltenham but the runner-up has won Grade 1 races at Aintree and Punchestown since. Henry De Bromhead’s 10-year-old is a top-class two-miler and won this in 2015 so, only rated a pound lower than Altior, has to be the value at the likely odds. San Benedeto has come good dropped back in trip but, along with last week’s Ayr winner Vaniteux, has a bit to find on these terms.
Altior (IRE) 1-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 5th, pushed along to press leader when left in lead 2 out, driven to assert after last, stayed on well to draw clear final 100 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar beating Cloudy Dream (11-4) by 6l, 9 ran.
San Benedeto (FR) 4-1 (11-4) In touch, went 3rd before 3 out, ridden before last, soon left 2nd, kept on to lead near finish, won at Aintree 2m (1) gd in Apr beating Forest Bihan (11-4) by hd, 5 ran.
Special Tiara 11-1 (11-10) Jumped well, led after 1st, clear 5th until given breather on downhill run to 3 out, stayed on gamely flat, just held on, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar beating Fox Norton (11-10) by hd, 10 ran.
Vaniteux (FR) 3-1fav (11-8) Mid-division, tracked leaders after 5 out, upsides 2 out, led last, ridden clear flat, stayed on well, won at Ayr 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Apr beating Romain De Senam (10-2) by 5l, 10 ran.
