held up in rear, mistake 6th, not fluent 8th, mistake when getting behind 11th, mistake next, tailed off
held up in rear, some headway when mistake 4 out, chasing leaders in 5th when mistake 2 out, soon weakened
led until before 4 out, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before last
chased leaders, not fluent 8th, led 3 out, clear last, stayed on well
held up towards rear on outside, took keen hold, headway after 4 out, chasing leaders when jumped left and mistake 3 out, weakened before 2 out, pulled up approaching last
held up in mid-division, headway 12th, challenged before 2 out, ridden and held last, kept on
chased leaders, mistake and lost place 11th, behind 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, led before 4 out, mistake and headed 3 out, lost 3rd and held after 2 out, kept on
held up in mid-division, raced keenly, not fluent 6th, not much room bend before 3 out, went 5th from 2 out, never on terms
held up in mid-division on inside, raced keenly, headway 12th, went 3rd after 2 out, no impression before last, kept on
A high-class renewal and certainly a more competitive race than the one won last year by FAKIR D’OUDAIRES. However, Joseph O’Brien’s gelding may still complete a double as he got back to winning ways in the Ascot Chase in February and Mister Fisher and Saint Calvados are held on that run. Funambule Sivola beat Sceau Royal and Hitman in the Game Spirit and was then second in the Champion Chase, albeit no match for an easy winner. Allmankind defied a big weight in a Grade 2 handicap here in the autumn but has a bit to prove now after a couple of disappointing efforts while Captain Guinness tends to come up short when pitched in at the highest level. Editeur Du Gite and Paint The Dream will likely find this company too hot.
Allmankind 3-1 (11-4) Led, hit 3 out, soon ridden, headed and weakened rapidly before 2 out, tailed off and pulled up before the last, at Fontwell 2m 3f (1) gs in Feb.
Captain Guinness (IRE) 5-4fav (11-8) Raced in 3rd, closer 5 out, pushed along to challenge on stands' side approaching 2 out, led 2 out, 2 length lead at last, ridden run-in, kept on well, won at Naas 2m (1) sft in Feb beating Blackbow (11-1) by 2 3/4l, 3 ran.
Editeur Du Gite (FR) 15-2 (11-9) Chased winner until 4th, chased leaders, led 4 out, headed 2 out, chased winner until run-in, weakened into 4th towards finish, 4th of 16, 6 1/2l behind Global Citizen (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) hvy in Mar.
Fakir D'Oudairies (FR) 9-4fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, not fluent 6th, headway 10th, chased leading pair 4 out, pressed leader 3 out, close up 2 out, driven to lead last, stayed on strongly flat, won at Ascot 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb beating Two For Gold (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Funambule Sivola (FR) 40-1 (11-10) Towards rear on outside, closed 4th, left 2nd 9th, challenged 4 out until 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, no impression on winner but kept on well, 2nd of 7, 8 1/2l behind Energumene (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Hitman (FR) 85-40 (11-0) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd at 4th, no impression 2 out, ridden and lost 2nd at the last, stayed on same pace run-in, 3rd of 4, 4 1/4l behind Funambule Sivola (11-0) at Newbury 2m (1) gs in Feb.
Mister Fisher (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Midfield, headway 8th, ridden and lost ground 4 out, well beaten 2 out, came home in own time, 4th of 8, dist behind Fakir D'Oudairies (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb.
Paint The Dream 8-1 (11-11) Prominent led after 7th, drew clear from 4 out, stayed on strongly, impressive, won at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar beating Tamaroc Du Mathan (11-6) by 15l, 10 ran.
Saint Calvados (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Keen in midfield, lost touch 12th, blundered 13th, pulled up before 4 out, at Ascot 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb.
Sceau Royal (FR) 2-1fav (11-6) Held up in 4th, closer in 3rd 5 out, jumped slowly next and lost place next, rallied from 2 out, ridden and went 2nd at the last, stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Funambule Sivola (11-0) at Newbury 2m (1) gs in Feb.
