chased leaders, started racing keenly on downhill run before 6th, ridden and beaten 2 out, no extra flat
jumped right at times, led 2nd, clear after 3 out until last, ran on gamely flat
chased leaders on outside, not fluent 6th, last next, not fluent 4 out, soon behind
led, not fluent 1st, headed next, chased winner, not fluent 6th, 4th and beaten before 2 out, no extra last
held up, took keen hold, mistake 3 out, chased winner before next, no impression, stayed on
San Benedeto probably ran above expectations behind Altior at Sandown but he’s a useful chaser and Lorcan Williams takes off a handy 7lb. Work In Progress gave weight and a beating to last month’s course and distance winner Ozzie The Oscar at Hereford in December but has become hard to predict. CAPITOUL (NAP) has looked a natural over fences in his two runs to date. He has gone up another 11lb and this is by far his toughest task but he may be worth sticking with. Kapstadt has been placed in all three runs to date over the larger obstacles so shouldn’t be ignored.
San Benedeto (FR) 33-1 (11-7) 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, 2nd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Altior (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Apr.
Ozzie The Oscar (IRE) 5-2 (11-9) Held up, headway after 5th, not much room next, switched right before out, led after next, clear before 2 out, ridden out, won at Warwick 2m hcp (2) gs in Apr beating Sister Sibyl (10-2) by 5l, 5 ran.
Work In Progress (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Always in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in May.
Capitoul (FR) 11-10fav (11-4) 2nd early, chased leaders, closed 7th, led 3 out, clear 2 out, very easily, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gd in May beating Comanche Chieftain (11-4) by 18l, 5 ran.
Kapstadt (FR) 10-3 (10-10) Held up in touch, headway on inside after 4 out, led after next, headed 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Doitforthevillage (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gs in Nov.