held up, mistake and unseated rider 5th
prominent, not fluent, mistakes 3rd and 4th, challenged 4 out until mistake 2 out, no extra last
led until after 2nd, led 7th, headed before 9th, soon outpaced, rallied from 2 out, led flat, driven out
prominent, led after 2nd, headed 5th, soon eased and pulled up before next
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4th, led 5th, headed 7th, led again before 9th, ridden and headed flat, held after, stayed on
Nonrunner
Paul Nicholls has won both previous renewals and MON SUCCESSEUR can complete the hat-trick. He’s a four-year-old, like the two previous winners, so gets a weight-for-age allowance even though he won twice over fences at Nancy in May. Relic Rock did nothing wrong on his chasing bow at Carlisle and it’s hard to see fifth Vodka Wells reversing that form here. Katachenko still has time on his side but lacks a recent run whereas Minella Present won at Fontwell in June and ran well under a penalty behind Violet Dancer at Towcester. Kings Bandit has only run once in 18 months and was tailed off in that.
Kings Bandit (IRE) 10-3 (11-3) Tracked leader until hit 4th and dropped to rear, reminder before 9th, never on terms after, left poor 3rd 3 out, blundered next, 3rd of 4, dist behind Traffic Fluide (10-9) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Vodka Wells (FR) 4-1 (11-6) In touch in 4th, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, weakened and lost 4th before last, 5th of 6, dist behind Germany Calling (11-8) at Carlisle 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Katachenko (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, soon tracked leader, led after 4th, headed 2 out, ridden and every chance last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Pair Of Jacks (10-12) at Kelso 2m 1f (4) gs in May.
Relic Rock (IRE) 7-2fav (10-8) Tracked winner, ridden before last, kept on and always held, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Germany Calling (11-8) at Carlisle 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Mon Successeur (FR) (10-5) 3rd of 8, shd behind Attalco (10-9) at Dax 2m 1f gd in Jun.
Minella Present (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, every chance when hit 2 out, not quicken, 2nd of 4, 3 1/4l behind Violet Dancer (11-0) at Towcester 2m (4) gf in Oct.