disputed 3rd until hit 3 out, weakened next, eased flat
held up behind leaders, nudged along after 6th, pulled up before 8th, broke blood vessel
led, ridden and headed after 3 out, 4th and held when hit last
held up behind leaders, took closer order 10th, joined leaders 4 out, led after 3 out, ran on strongly, comfortably
held up, took closer order after 7th, close 4th when hit 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
chased leaders, slightly outpaced 11th, stayed on to go 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner
chased leaders, ridden after 12th, kept on same pace from 3 out
Monet's Garden is taken to bounce back and land the day's feature race, with Thisthatandtother, Cerium and Central House all likely to figure. Nicky Richards is still adamant that we have yet to see the best of Monet's Garden, and is confident that the nine-year-old will show his true form here, having disappointed badly in the King George on Boxing Day. Successful in 10 of his 16 career outings, the grey was thought to have been dehydrated after his flop last time, but Richards intends taking him to Ascot on the morning of the race, leaving nothing to chance as he bids for this big prize en-route to a visit to the Cheltenham Festival. He ran a blinder there in the Arkle last year and has a good turn of foot, so should have little to fear today if he is back to his best. Paul Nicholls is double-handed with Cerium and Thisthatandtother, the latter having had a break since finishing fifth behind Exotic Dancer at Cheltenham. This trip will bring out the best in the 11-year-old who is preferred to Cerium on that form, although at the age of six, he has time on his side and does go well round here. Tony McCoy partners Fota Island, but the other Irish raider Central House makes more appeal on the back of some consistent efforts in defeat this term. Even so, he might be found out by the trip, while of the others, the Pipe yard collected 12 months ago with Our Vic, so Vodka Bleu merits a mention at least. He has to recapture his smart novice form to have any chance though, and the prize should go up north courtesy of Monet's Garden.
Central House 12-1 (11-10) Led, ridden after 3 out, headed after 2 out, 3rd and one pace from last, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Nickname (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) sft.
Cerium (FR) 14-1 (11-9) Mid-division, coast along from 8th, ridden after 4 out, weakened after next, 9th of 12, 44l behind Exotic Dancer (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Fota Island (IRE) 18-1 (11-7) Not jump well in rear, hit 3rd, outpaced from 6th, behind when blundered 9th, no chance after, 6th of 7, 32l behind Kauto Star (11-7) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Monet's Garden (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, led 5th to well before 3 out, weakened, 6th of 9, well behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
River City (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 8th, ridden and no impression when lost 3rd 3 out and weakened, 4th of 5, 17l behind Voy Por Ustedes (11-5) at Kempton 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Thisthatandtother (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 5th of 12, 11l behind Exotic Dancer (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Vodka Bleu (FR) 7-2fav (11-2) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, soon tailed off, last of 10, well behind Whispered Secret (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Jan.
