tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3rd, slight lead from 6th until 9th, chased winner after, shaken up and no response after 3 out and no chance after
led after 2nd until 6th, behind from 11th, struggling after
never going well in rear, reminder 7th, lost touch and pulled up after 9th
led until after 2nd, chased leader until before 3rd, stayed prominent, narrow lead 9th, made rest, driven and in command before 3 out and stayed on strongly
chased leaders in 4th, ridden 10th, lost place 12th, well beaten when blundered 4 out
held up in 5th, went moderate 3rd 11th, hit 13th, no chance after
held up in 6th, hit 13th, struggling when jumped slowly next, tailed off
Seven runners line up for this re-scheduled chase that sees the return to action of Gold Cup winner DENMAN, who is taken to make a winning return with Joe Lively and Albertas Run rated the main dangers. Denman proved himself to be the top chaser in Europe last season with brilliant performances in the Hennessy, the Luxus Chase and the Aon Chase prior to his impressive performance at Cheltenham. Not seen since March following heart problems, it is to be hoped that the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding retains the same ability as last season and if doing so he should be too classy for his rivals today. Former Hennessy and Royal & SunAlliance winner Trabolgan was disappointing on his belated return to action at Ascot in December and now looks bet watched. David Pipe's Madison Du Berlais and Bob Buckler's Niche Market are capable performers but seemingly have place claims at best. Last season's Royal & SunAlliance winner Albertas Run lost no caste in defeat behind Kauto Star in the King George last time having been pulled up in the Hennessy behind Madison Du Berlais previously and he rates a bigger threat than David Pipe's other runner An Accordion, who is making his seasonal reappearance today. Colin Tizzard's Joe Lively comes into this in good form and he has to be considered but if Denman is back to anything like his best, he should win this comfortably.
Denman (IRE) 9-4 (11-10) Tracked leader, led 12th, hit 4 out, soon clear, stayed on well flat, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar beating Kauto Star (11-10) by 7l, 12 ran.
Joe Lively (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) Led until 4th, led 6th, ridden after 3 out, blundered badly next, soon headed, rallied very gamely to lead flat, won going away, driven out, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan beating Halcon Genelardais (11-0) by 3l, 8 ran.
An Accordion (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Always prominent, not fluent 2nd, mistake 12th, hit 3 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar beating New Alco (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Madison Du Berlais (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, blundered 9th, challenged 4 out, stayed upsides runner up, led last, driven out, won at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov beating Air Force One (11-7) by 3l, 15 ran.
Niche Market (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) Prominent, led 10th, 5 lengths clear 3 out, soon ridden, just held on, all out, won at Ascot 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Dec beating Monkerhostin (11-7) by a hd, 14 ran.
Albertas Run (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Held up, headway to chase leaders from 14th, went 2nd before 3 out, soon no chance with winner, and just held on to hold 2nd, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Dec.
Trabolgan (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, mistake 7th, headway after 14th, weakening when mistake 16th, well behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Niche Market (9-9) at Ascot 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Dec, 14 ran.
