led until after 1st, chased leader until 5th, lost place when mistake 13th, soon weakened, pulled up after 15th
raced keenly, led after 1st, clear 7th, hit next, reduced lead after 10th, headed 12th, weakened and pulled up before 4 out
held up, mistake 14th, challenging when mistake 3 out, no impression on winner 2 out, well held last
held up in rear, mistake 5th, ridden 14th, soon weakened, pulled up after 15th
prominent until 1st, chased leaders, led 12th, pressed briefly 3 out, drew clear from next, stayed on well
soon struggling in rear, slow 3rd, behind 7th, pulled up after 10th
DOES HE KNOW has a good strike-rate over fences and fitness is unlikely to be an issue so he may well defy top weight in this. Empire Steel is a danger as he made a pleasing reappearance at Kelso. The latter fell when travelling strongly in this in 2021 and Into Overdrive is only 3lb higher than when successful 12 months ago. Karl Philippe has never won over a trip this far but Fontaine Collonges stays further, though has become disappointing. Houston Texas may struggle upped in class.
Does He Know 15-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders went 3rd 2 out, no impression when hit last, 3rd of 7, 8 1/2l behind Zanza (11-2) at Newbury 2m 7f (1) gd in Feb.
Into Overdrive 10-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, mistake 12th, not fluent and struggling 15th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Empire Steel (IRE) 9-4fav (10-10) Prominent, led from 4th, ridden and hard pressed 2 out, headed last, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 6, 4 1/4l behind Elvis Mail (10-10) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Karl Philippe (FR) 9-1 (11-7) In touch, pushed along 6th, ridden 3 out, outpaced next, rallied run in to go 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Kandoo Kid (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Fontaine Collonges (FR) 5-2fav (11-7) Prominent, awkward jump 1st and unseated rider, at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Houston Texas (IRE) 9-2cfav (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead soon after last, ran on, won at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Wasdell Dundalk (10-13) by 3 1/4l, 11 ran.
