led, headed 14th, not fluent 3 out, 4th and beaten next
held up, closed 8th, not fluent 15th, went 2nd after 3 out, stayed on, unable to challenge winner and lost 2nd towards finish
pressed leader from 2nd, led 14th, not fluent next, ridden after 2 out, edged right towards finish, stayed on
with leader until after 1st, tracked leaders on inside, pushed along 16th, soon lost place, not able to get back on terms, not fluent 4 out, plugged on flat
held up in rear, not always fluent, headway after 3 out, no impression next, weakened last
held up, closed 12th, mistake 14th, close 3rd after 3 out, stayed on, went 2nd towards finish, unable to challenge winner
There is no doubt that Dynaste is the class act in this. Winner of the Ryanair at last year's Festival, he finished third in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on his reappearance and then chased home Silviniaco Conti again in the King George on Boxing Day. But there is a valid theory that he won't enjoy racing over the extended trip here on soft ground and he's up against some up-and-coming chasers. Many Clouds has made giant strides this year, landing the Hennessy at Newbury on his latest start. But fifth SMAD PLACE must have every chance of reversing that form on 12lb better terms and could be the pick of the weights today. He hasn't won around here in four previous visits but was just touched off in the RSA Chase last season when neither Many Clouds nor Black Thunder managed to complete. The Giant Bolster is a real Cheltenham specialist and won this last year before going on to run a blinder in the Gold Cup. He was behind Dynaste at Haydock but should get a lot closer today. Theatre Guide has come on in leaps and bounds over the last 18 months but still faces a stiff task at the weights.
Black Thunder (FR) 4-6fav (11-11) Jumped well, raced wide, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 7th and pressed leader, brushed 18th, pushed along briefly after 4 out, led 3 out, soon clear, easily, won at Sandown 3m lst chs (1) sft in Dec beating Rocky Bender (10-9) by 11l, 4 ran.
Dynaste (FR) 7-1 (11-10) In touch, headway 9th to track leaders, effort 3out, went 2nd approaching last, kept on, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Silviniaco Conti (11-10) at Kempton 3m Grade 1 chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Many Clouds (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Held up in mid-division, headway into 2nd approaching 17th, went right 3 out, ridden before next, led last, stayed on well, driven out, won at Newbury 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov beating Houblon Des Obeaux (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 19 ran.
The Giant Bolster 40-1 (11-7) Close up, ridden before 4 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 15l behind Silviniaco Conti (11-7) at Haydock 3m 1f chs G1 (1) sft in Nov.
Theatre Guide (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd, closed 6th, went 2nd 10th, bumped 3 out, 3 lengths down 2 out, rallied to lead last, hard pressed flat, joined close home, won at Kempton 2m 4f grad ch (2) sft in Nov deadheating with Fox Appeal (11-9), 4 ran.
Smad Place (FR) 6-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, pushed along and headway approaching 4 out, chasing leaders when stumbled next, one pace and no impression when slightly hampered 2 out, plugged on, no chance with leading trio, 5th of 19, 20l behind Many Clouds (11-6) at Newbury 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
