mid-division, headway 12th, ridden and switched right approaching 2 out, kept on flat
mistakes, always towards rear, never dangerous
held up and keen, headway 3rd, mistake 8th, ridden and lost place after 4 out, rallied approaching last, carried right and kept on flat
led to 2nd, chased leaders to 7th, soon weakened
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 10th
midi-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakened flat
prominent, hit 11th, soon lost place, no danger after
with leader, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, edged right, headed and no extra flat
made most from 2nd, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and switched right approaching last, edged right and one pace flat
held up towards rear, behind when pulled up before 3 out
always towards rear, blundered 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 10th
held up and keen, headway 7th, mistake 2 out, soon ridden, weakened flat
held up in rear, ridden approaching 4 out, headway approaching last, led flat, ran on
always towards rear, never dangerous
Top weight Fondmort was a good winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup here earlier in the season but has a stiffer task on now giving lumps of weight away to his rivals and preference is for the novice Polar Red, who could proved to be well treated on his debut in this grade and he gets the verdict over stablemate Puntal. The last mentioned is also a novice but has been on the go for some time now and is more exposed than Polar Red. A decent hurdler at his best as when winning last year's Imperial Cup, the selection has only had three starts over fences, winning his first two at Chepstow before unseating his rider at Plumpton early on last time. While that is hardly an ideal preparation, Polar Red's previous form looked useful and he is potentially well treated. Tim Easterby's Turgeonev has the beating of both Kelrev and Farmer Jack on running behind Isio in Newbury's Vodafone Gold Cup earlier this month and has to be respected along with Henry Daly's Jakari, who has done little wrong this term. The Irish have a poor record in this contest and while Barrow Drive cannot be entirely dismissed, it will be a surprise if the trend is bucked with either him or Back On Top. Nicky Henderson's Mighty Strong has been given a break and, given his trainer's fine record at the meeting, is another worthy of a mention. However, he looks the clear second string behind Fondmort and more interesting is Peter Beaumont's Hunters Tweed, although backers would need to forgive him a disappointing effort in the Racing Post Chase last time. Several have claims but Martin Pipe has a strong hand and Polar Red is the choice of his trio to give the master of Nicholashayne his fifth winner in the last seven runnings of the race.
