in touch, headway 4 out, ridden next, kept on same pace
in touch, headway when left 3rd 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace
led, looked to be going well when fell 4 out
close up, left 3rd 4 out, joined leader 2 out, ridden to lead towards finish
tracked leader, pushed along 5 out, soon weakened, hampered next
tracked leaders, not fluent 12th, dropped to rear 14th, hampered 4 out
in touch in rear, headway when fell 4 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5 out, left in lead 4 out, ridden and joined 2 out, headed towards finish
NonRunner
Stamina can not be guaranteed for a number of these and The Dutchman will need to make this a strong test as he is probably better over further. The list of unproven stayers includes Paddy Power Gold Cup second Spiritofthegames and Grand Sefton winner Beau Bay, who is no certainty to confirm Aintree running with Springtown Lake. Canelo appeared to run out of steam over an extended 2m6f at Newbury last time and Guitar Pete was last of seven finishers in this last year when failing to get home. Windsor Avenue is another likely to be running on empty in the closing stages but Wandrin Star has solid form over 3m, including when second at Ascot last month. SNOW LEOPARDESS still needs to brush up her jumping but she wore down Commodore to score over further at Haydock five weeks ago and the runner-up still had every chance when unseating his rider at the last at Cheltenham subsequently.
Spiritofthegames (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, mistake 5th, headway before 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, every chance last, edged right flat, held inside final 100 yards, 2nd of 16, 3 1/4l behind Coole Cody (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Windsor Avenue (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up in mid-division, struggling when not fluent 11th, behind and mistake next, pulled up before 4 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
The Dutchman (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Always prominent, led after 10th, blundered 12th, reached for 4 out, 3 lengths ahead last, idled/tired badly run-in, headed near finish, 2nd of 7, hd behind Late Romantic (10-8) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Canelo (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear of mid-division on inside, headway 12th, kept on run-in, went 2nd near finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 4 1/4l behind Cap Du Nord (10-8) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Wandrin Star (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Prominent, nudged along to hold position 3 out, headway to join leaders after last, ran on well, just denied, 2nd of 11, hd behind Quarenta (11-12) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Springtown Lake (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Towards rear, mistake 2nd, bad blunder 9th, headway chasing leaders after 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 18, 16 3/4l behind Beau Bay (10-5) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Beau Bay (FR) 20-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, outpaced at times, got through on inside at elbow to lead, came clear run-in, stayed on strongly, won at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec beating Sir Jack Yeats (10-0) by 5l, 18 ran.
Snow Leopardess 9-2jfav (10-10) Held up in touch, not fluent 4th, blundered 14th, headway under pressure 4 out, moved into 2nd before 2 out, stayed on strongly from last, got up final strides, won at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Nov beating Commodore (11-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Guitar Pete (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Soon held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 9th, pushed along after 12th, soon ridden, stayed on same pace in 4th from 3 out, 4th of 9, 6l behind Johnbb (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
