tracked leaders, lost place and reminder after 5 out, left 4th 3 out, ridden to go 2nd between last 2, 10 lengths down when mistake last, rallied and closed on winner flat, held near finish
tracked leaders, driven and outpaced by leading pair after 4 out, 10 lengths down in 3rd when left 2nd next, weakened 2 out
led, driven 2 lengths clear when fell heavily 3 out
held up in touch, mistake and dropped to rear 6th, lost touch 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
pressed leader, lost place after 4 out, soon outpaced, left 3rd next, kept on same pace, no impression
rider lost iron briefly after 1st, held up behind in touch, headway to track leader 4 out, 2 lengths down when left well clear next, 10 lengths clear last, ridden and idled flat, held on near finish
Kauto The Roc is sure to be popular again here having been sent off favourite on his chasing debut at Huntingdon when he was beaten less than two lengths by Supreme De Paille. He'll know more today but is taken on again with STATE BENEFIT, who won over hurdles on his reappearance last season and was highly tried thereafter. He's already won a point-to-point so the switch to fences will suit and he probably has more scope than any of his rivals. Brackloon High has won two bumpers and a hurdle so can't be ignored but the mare Real Treasure has yet to show she stays this far and returns from a lay-off here.
Brackloon High (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders when hit next, ridden last, kept on same pace under pressure flat, 5th of 18, 6l behind Rangitoto (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Nov.
Kauto The Roc (FR) Evensfav (11-1) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, driven and joined last, headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Supreme de Paille (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Nov.
State Benefit (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) In touch, headway to 3rd 4 out until riddden before next, weakened soon after 3 out, 4th of 8, 12l behind Russian Song (11-3) at Newbury 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Timmies Gone (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Led until not fluent 12th, weakened after 14th, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Connak (11-3) at Exeter 3m nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Try Catch Me (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along after 10th, weakened 2 out, last of 3, 41l behind Mossley (11-2) at Kempton 3m beg chs (4) gd in Nov.
Real Treasure 11-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear on outside, steady headway after 5th, tracking leaders after 8th, no impression before 3 out, soon well held, 7th of 15, 17l behind Ocean Transit (10-10) at Ludlow 2m 5f mares hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Feb.
