took keen hold, tracked leaders, not clear run on inside after 2 out, every chance last, ridden flat, 3rd and no extra towards finish
jumped slightly right, led, ridden and headed narrowly last, edged left flat, stayed on gamely, held towards finish
held up in rear, headway from 2 out, close 5th last, ridden flat, not able to challenge, weakened towards finish
tracked leader until 2 out, one pace when squeezed out before last, hung left after last, stayed on final 100 yards, no impression
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, not clear run against stands rail before last, soon switched left and close 4th at the last, ridden and not quicken flat, stayed on same pace
held up towards rear on inside, not fluent 2nd, outpaced from 2 out, well beaten last
tracked leaders, went 2nd 2 out, led narrowly last, driven and stayed on gamely flat, in command towards finish
The evergreen THE NEW ONE has made this race his own in recent years, winning three of the last four renewals. He didn’t line-up when recent Newbury scorer Old Guard took the honours in 2015 and was giving that rival 14lb when only a length behind in the Greatwood here last month. My Tent Or Yours never seems to run a bad race at the highest level – he’s finished second in the last two Champion Hurdles. But he’s not won since early in 2014 and, along with Old Guard, was beaten fair and square by the selection in this 12 months ago on better terms. Melon was a smart novice last season and made a winning reappearance in a Grade 2 at Down Royal so is respected but Ch'tibello is having a first run since chasing home Yanworth in the Kingwell in February and John Constable steps up from handicaps.
Melon 2-5fav (11-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, improved into 2nd before last, pushed along to narrow lead approaching last, slight mistake last, ridden and kept on strongly to assert run-in, won at Down Royal 2m (1) sft in Nov beating Coquin Mans (11-5) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
The New One (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Led to after 1st, in touch, outpaced after 2 out, ridden and stayed on into 4th flat, no impression, 4th of 13, 5 3/4l behind Elgin (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Nov.
John Constable (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Mid-division, driven over 3f out, never reached leaders, weakened final furlong, 21st of 34, 26 1/4l behind Withhold (8-8) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Old Guard 7-2jfav (11-12) Tracked leader, challenged going well 3 out, led last, ridden clear run-in, won at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec beating Remiluc (10-12) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Ch'tibello (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, closed on bend after 3 out, led last, driven and headed flat, edged left, held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Yanworth (11-10) at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) sft in Feb.
Dell' Arca (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division on inside, headway 9th, outpaced before 3 out, behind when pulled up before next, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp lst (1) sft in Nov.
My Tent Or Yours (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, moderate 4th 3 out, went moderate 2nd travelling well after 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well run-in, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Wicklow Brave (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
