keen, chased leader, ridden and weakened before 2 out, poor 7th when fell last
led and going ok when fell heavily 3 out
held up in mid-division, headway on inside after 3 out, switched left and went 2nd between last 2, tried to challenge last, easily outpaced run-in
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, plugged on
always towards rear, never on terms, tailed off
held up towards rear, weakened before 3 out, soon behind
held up in rear, some headway disputing poor 6th when hit 2 out
chased leaders, weakening when mistake 3 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders, left in 2nd place 3 out, every chance next, ridden and weakened run-in
keen, chased leaders, led before 2 out until 2 out, ridden and lost 2nd between last 2, plugged on in 3rd run-in
always towards rear, pushed along and struggling before 3 out, never involved
took keen hold early, in touch, smooth headway tracking leaders 3 out, led going well 2 out, shaken up and quickened easily clear run-in
last pair, never a factor, tailed off
Nicky Henderson has won three of the last six of these and though this is a race that should produce plenty of future winners his EPATANTE is one to look forward to. A Grade 1-winning bumper on heavy ground at Saint-Cloud a year ago, he'll need to cope with much quicker conditions on his hurdling bow but looks a very smart prospect. Takbeer has a penalty to carry for a very impressive debut at Ludlow and he's since run well on the Flat at Haydock. Ey Up Rocky has had jumping problems since making a successful debut in a bumper while Panko was struggling when unseating Richard Johnson at Southwell. The champion is on board Gaelic Prince here and was also on board when his mount was very badly impeded at the first at Exeter a year ago. Outofthequestion completed a double on the Flat in the summer and is just the type Alan King does so well with.
Takbeer (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) Ridden leaving stalls, soon led and went clear with one rival, clear alone 6f out until over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Paddy A (9-0) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Buachaill Beag 50-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, led to after 3rd, tracked leader, led again after 3 out, to before next, weakened between last 2, 7th of 12, dist behind Denmead (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Ey Up Rocky 6-1 (11-2) In touch, headway after 3 out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on same pace approaching last, 4th of 11, 11l behind L'inganno Felice (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in Apr.
Foresee (GER) 9-1 (9-1) Towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, never nearer, 7th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Appenzeller (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Gaelic Prince (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Mid-division when badly hampered and unseated rider soon after 1st, at Exeter 2m 1f (3) sft in Nov.
Outofthequestion 7-4fav (9-11) Midfield headway 4f out, soon ridden weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 18 3/4l behind Dell' Arca (10-3) at Newbury 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Panko (IRE) 13-8 (10-12) Keen tracked leader until ridden 2 out, keeping on same pace when blundered and unseated rider last, at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Oct.
River Dart (IRE) 18-1 (9-5) Disputed lead, lost place when came towards stands side over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 21 1/2l behind Ashington (9-4) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Special Acceptance 12-1 (11-2) Held up in touch on outside, chased leaders 3f out, ridden and effort 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Danny Kirwan (11-2) at Kempton 2m (5) gd in Feb.
Thibault 13-8fav (11-2) Made most to 5f out, soon lost place, weakened and modest 4th 3f out, tailed off, 4th of 8, dist behind Katahdin (11-2) at Southwell 2m (5) sft in Feb.
Woulduadamandeveit (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders halfway, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on into 2nd well inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 11l behind Acey Milan (10-11) at Newbury 2m lst (1) sft in Feb.
Epatante (FR) (9-12) won at Saint-Cloud 1m 4f (1) hvy in Nov beating Eveilduboulay (9-12) by 3l, 9 ran.
Greenview Paradise (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, chasing leaders when hampered over 1f out, stayed on well closing stages, 5th of 11, 2l behind Altaira (8-12) at Bath 1m 2f hcp (6) fm in Sep.
