jumped well, led until narrowly headed 15th, tracked leader until led again 3 out, stayed on gamely flat, all out
tracked leader, led narrowly 15th, headed 3 out, stayed challenging until lost 2nd 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat
in touch until weakened after 3 out
jumped poorly in rear, blundered 4th, 8th and next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, blundered and nearly unseated rider 4th, dropped rear, not fluent 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
held up, steady headway from 13th, 5th and no chance when blundered and fell last
raced wide, tracked leaders until weakened 15th, tailed off
behind when hampered and unseated rider 13th
in touch, blundered 7th, losing place when hampered 13th, tailed off
4th and going well enough when blundered and fell 13th
in mid-division, mistake 5th, blundered 13th, soon lost touch tailed off
With the defection of last years winner Best Mate taking much of the gloss off this years contest it probably won't take as much winning as in recent years. Marlborough, runner-up in this contest last year has struggled to make an impact since and has certainly looked below his best in two outings this season, however, he does like it here and mustn't be discounted, but Mick Fitzgerald prefers the chance of Fondmort and he may well provide the main opposition to Jair Du Cochet, who is taken to land the prize. Impressive when landing the Feltham Chase over course and distance last term, Jair Du Cochet should really have added the Royal & Sun Alliance Chase to his list after receiving a less than inspired ride. However, it was his defeat of the Champion Best Mate at Huntingdon which really throws him into the big time, even allowing for the fact that the Champion may well have been below his best. If that was the case then the same can be said for Valley Henry, who really should have run better giving the way the race unfolded (no pace for the first circuit), and the progressive La Landiere, who looks to face a hopeless task in trying to turn around the form. Jair Du Cochet is straightforward, won't mind the ground and if his jockey can stay with him, will be the one to beat. Valley Henry is a strong travelling sort and should be suited by this sharp three-miles. However, he has flattered to deceive on more than one occasion and a place looks the best he can hope for. The winner of this back in 2000, First Gold appeared rejuvenated by blinkers in the Spring and clearly retains a fair amount of ability. He is sure to be sharper for last months pipe-opener over hurdles in France last month and is one for the short list. Best Mate's connections are represented by top-class two mile chaser Edredon Bleu, who failed to stay this trip behind First Gold three years ago. Now that bit older and wiser, he may well stay this far now. Swansea Bay has improved leaps and bounds this year and comes into this at the top of his form. However, while he will need to find plenty more here, it would come as no surprise if he was to reach the frame. Seebald is a high-class two-miler and is an interesting runner over this trip. A runaway winner over an extended two-and-a-half miles at Warwick last year it would be folly to dismiss him and looks one of the likelier long-shots. Stablemate Tiutchev has done most of his racing at the minimum trip, but like Seebald has useful form at up to two-and-a-half miles. He is the preferred mount of McCoy and is of obvious interest. It Takes Time has plenty on at this level and is best watched here, while Le Roi Miguel didn't exactly look as though he was crying out for a step up in trip when runner-up at Ascot in the First National Gold Cup. Fondmort is well worth his place in the line up after an impressive display in the Paddy Power, but the only time he tackled this trip was in last years Racing Post Chase where he looked like a non stayer. So, in what promises to be an intriguing contest, Jair Du Cochet is taken to plunder this prize for France.
