chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from next
mid-division, coast along from 8th, ridden after 4 out, weakened after next
chased leaders, blundered 2nd, ridden into 3rd approaching 2 out, kept on same pace from last
mid-division, hit 3rd, dropped rear 7th, behind from 9th
held up, headway 11th, shaken up to challenge approaching 2 out, led last, ran on, ridden out
held up, closing for mistake 4 out, headway again next, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
held up, hit 1st and 2nd, headway and mistake 11th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader, led 12th, ridden when hit 2 out, headed last, kept on
in touch, ridden after 4 out, hit 3 out, stayed on to go 4th, run-in
led, clear after 3rd, headed 12th, prominent, every chance 3 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before last
mid-division, headway 10th, effort after 3 out, one pace from next
hit 8th, behind from 10th
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Reveillez is selected ahead of Taranis, Exotic Dancer and Bannow Strand. Reveillez was a top-class novice on his day and could still be counted in with some semblance of a chance as he departed at Ascot. Cerium won this race and while this is a step up in grade, a wind operation looks to have got him back to his best. Taranis is invariably fancied for handicaps of this nature although he looked held when falling in the Paddy Power Chase. Exotic Dancer was a ready winner on that occasion and while course form is always respected, punters have to decide whether the handicapper has done his sums correctly. Bannow Strand has been the subject of plenty of positive reports from connections and is sure to be inch perfect on his seasonal return. Thisthatantother is over his ideal trip although some confidence is dented by the fact that Ruby Walsh has elected to ride elsewhere. Knowhere is a very useful horse on his day although there is a suspicion that softer ground brings about his better races. Copsale Lad has become disappointing and his ability has to be taken on trust. Reveillez looks the ideal type for a prize of this nature and we seek not to oppose.
Thisthatandtother (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed after 2 out, no extra, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Racing Demon (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Cerium (FR) 12-1 (11-8) In touch, ridden to chase leader after 3 out, led 2 out, left clear last, won at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov beating Knowhere (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Taranis (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, led briefly after 4 out, ridden 3 out, close up when fell 2 out in race won by Exotic Dancer (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
Contraband 9-1 (11-8) Keen, mistake 1st, reminders and jumped slowly 2nd, tailed off when pulled up at the 3rd in race won by Demi Beau (10-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Exotic Dancer (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Held up rear, headway after 3 out, led last, ran on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov beating Vodka Bleu (10-11) by 3l, 16 ran.
Ross River 6-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, progress 4 out, 4th next, 2nd travelling well last, quickened into lead run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 2f hcp chs 0-140 sft in Nov beating The Penitent Man (9-7) by 2l, 9 ran.
Reveillez 11-2 (11-9) Held up, close up when fell in race won by Cerium (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Knowhere (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (10-11) Led, jumped left, mistake and rider lost irons 4th, headed approaching next, led again after 6th, headed 11th, ridden and blundered 3 out, kept on, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Cerium (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Tikram 20-1 (11-11) Mid-division, blundered 3rd, ridden and lost pace 10th, soon behind, 10th of 14, 35l behind Yes Sir (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (1) gf in Jul.
Bannow Strand (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders to 9th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Non So (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar, 24 ran.
Madison Du Berlais (FR) 7-1 (10-5) Led, headed 3rd, mistake 4th, ridden 8th, weakening when hampered 3 out, 8th of 11, 37l behind Demi Beau (10-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
Butler's Cabin (FR) 11-2 (10-8) Held up in rear, driven along from 10th, not fluent 4 out, stayed on from 3 out, never going pace to reach leaders, 4th of 10, 8l behind Gallant Approach (11-1) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov.
Copsale Lad 5-1 (11-6) In touch, badly hampered and lost place 8th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Exotic Dancer (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
Billyvoddan (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, mistake 8th, soon ridden and beaten, 5th of 9, 23l behind Cerium (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Hasty Prince 15-2 (10-3) In rear and bumped 1st, ridden 4 out, staying on from 3 out, rallied after last, not reach winner, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Demi Beau (10-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
