patiently ridden in 4th, tracked leading pair 6th, went 2nd and closed after 2 out, soon ridden, readily held by winner
led, headed and driven along 13th, chased winner to after 3 out, soon struggling in 3rd
chased leader to 2nd, raced in 3rd, mistake 7th and soon dropped to last, no chance after
jumped well and always travelling, tracked leaders 2nd, led 13th, made rest, in command, unchallenged after 2 out, easily
Nonrunner
Any four from the five could win this renewal but VOY POR USTEDES is clear on the ratings and he can land this before taking the Ryanair at the festival. Alan King's gelding has had to reinvent himself as a two and a half-miler due to Master Minded's emergence, and he has done it well. This trip on desperately heavy ground may stretch him slightly but his class should see him through as he is expected to improve on his third in the King George. The Sawyer is entered on Thursday at Chepstow and will be competing for minor prize money if turning up here, whilst Knowhere's best runs have been at Cheltenham so it remains to be seen whether this place will suit although the stable may be turning a corner. Gwanako has been backed for the Ryanair this week and were he to win this then he would be even shorter; Paul Nicholls' unexposed gelding has won here before and must go close if handling the ground. Tamarinbleu has had a break since a poor run in the King George behind Kauto Star, Voy Por Ustedes et al, and he needs to bounce back to form. He is a bold front-runner when at his best and may get his own way out in front; the stable are in better form now as well. An interesting if not necessarily top-class renewal, with the vote just going to Voy Por Ustedes.
Gwanako (FR) 2-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, kept up well when challenged, ridden out, won at Ascot 2m 5f Grad Ch (2) gs in Dec beating My Petra (11-0) by a nk, 7 ran.
Tamarinbleu (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Led, mistake and headed 10th, weakened 12th, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Dec.
The Sawyer (BEL) 7-2 (11-12) Led, headed 3rd, ridden and outpaced 5 out, rallied until weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, 17l behind Victory Gunner (9-13) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy.
Voy Por Ustedes (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Not always fluent, held up, hit 10th, headway to chase leaders from 12th, hit next, chased leaders approaching 3 out, kept on to press for 2nd run in, no chance with winner, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m chs Grd 1.
Knowhere (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden after 6th, weakened 4 out, 8th of 15, 34l behind Madison Du Berlais (11-4) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov.
