prominent in chasing group, went 2nd from 3rd, challenged 3 out, led when not fluent next, ridden and edged slightly right when pressed before last and flat, stayed on well, in command final 75 yards, driven out
held up in mid-division, not fluent 3rd or 9th, outpaced before 3 out, never able to get on terms, weakening when mistake 2 out
held up in rear, blundered 2nd, outpaced after 4 out, no impression, some modest late progress
held up towards rear, mistake 4 out, soon outpaced, never involved, some late progress
held up towards rear, not fluent 6th, headway after 4 out, went 4th next, soon pushed along, ridden and unable to go with leaders before next, one pace
tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, lost 2nd next, mistake 8th, lost place before 4 out, well beaten next
held up in mid-division, headway on outside before 7th, not fluent 4 out, close 3rd next, pushed along before 2 out, went 2nd from last, soon every chance, stayed on, held final 75 yards
took keen hold, led, clear after 2nd until 7th, headed 2 out, still every chance last, stayed on, no impression on front pair final 100 yards
held up in mid-division, took keen hold, headway from 4 out, shaken up briefly after next, soon beaten and eased, pulled up before last
Reigning champion Sire De Grugy was a tired horse when falling on his belated reappearance in the Game Spirit at Newbury behind easy winner Mr Mole. But he looked to be back to something approaching his best when defying top weight in a handicap at Chepstow next time and is unlikely to relinquish his crown without a fight. Sprinter Sacre's recent problems first surfaced when he was pulled up behind Sire De Grugy in the Desert Orchid at Kempton in 2013. He's only managed one run since and, though excuses were made for his defeat by DODGING BULLETS in the Clarence House at Ascot, Nicky Henderson's 2013 winner still has some way to go to prove he's fully recovered and looks poor value. Paul Nicholls' charge has been cast as a bit-part player in a lot of the debates but it shouldn't be forgotten that he won the best trial for this, the Tingle Creek, and should again beat runner-up Somersby. The selection did finish just behind Champagne Fever in last year's Arkle so the grey also comes into the equation. He has been racing over further this season but did have former champion Sizing Europe well behind when landing a Grade 2 at Clonmel in November.
Dodging Bullets 7-2 (11-7) Tracked leading pair, pushed along to challenge on outside in close 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead between last two, stayed on strongly run-in, won at Ascot 2m 1f chs G1 (1) sft in Jan beating Sprinter Sacre (11-7) by 3l, 5 ran.
Mr Mole (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Whipped round left as tapes rose, took keen hold and soon recovered tracking leaders 3rd (water), hit next, went 2nd 6th, led 4 out, left well clear next, eased run-in, won at Newbury 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb beating Upsilon Bleu (11-4) by 13l, 5 ran.
Savello (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd 2 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, kept on same pace from last, 4th of 24, 6l behind Katie T (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m hcap hdle sft in Jan.
Simply Ned (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, closer in 6th 4 out, 4th 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on into 3rd last, no extra run-in and kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Twinlight (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f chs G1 (1) hvy in Dec.
Sire De Grugy (FR) 5-4fav (11-12) Held up in touch in rear, closed 5 out, went 2nd after next, led 3 out, shaken up and went clear before last, ridden out flat, won at Chepstow 2m hcp chs (2) sft in Feb beating Grey Gold (10-6) by 7l, 4 ran.
Sizing Europe (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Chased leaders, close up and slight mistake 6th, soon disputed, 2nd 6 out, ridden in 3rd before straight, no extra before 2 out, 6th of 7, 19l behind Champagne Fever (11-1) at Clonmel 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Nov.
Somersby (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mistakes, led and set decent pace, hit 2nd, mistake 7th, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, chased leading pair, soon no impression, well held when blundered last, weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 5, 15l behind Dodging Bullets (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f chs G1 (1) sft in Jan.
Special Tiara 5-1 (11-0) Jumped boldly, made all and set strong pace, clear 3rd, drew further clear before 6th, 5 lengths ahead when hit 3 out, kept on strongly, ridden out, unchallenged, won at Kempton 2m Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec beating Balder Succes (11-5) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Sprinter Sacre (FR) 4-6fav (11-7) Took keen hold very briefly, held up in 4th, headway on outside 8th, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, headed between last two, no impression when switched left before last, one pace run-in, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Dodging Bullets (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f chs G1 (1) sft in Jan.
Champagne Fever (IRE) 8-15fav (11-8) Soon raced in 2nd, a little keen, on terms 8th, led from next, travelling smoothly straight, jumped right last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) in Feb beating Texas Jack (11-8) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Clarcam (FR) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leader in 2nd, joined for 2nd briefly at 3rd and 5th, ridden from 2 out and soon no impression on winner, kept on same pace run-in, not trouble winner, 2nd of 3, 15l behind Un De Sceaux (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs G1 (1) in Jan.
