midfield, pushed along and headway after 4out, effort next, kept on same pace
tracked winner, ridden 2out, faded run in
tracked leaders, mistake 8th, effort after 3out, no extra from last
towards rear, struggling 5out, behind when refused 2out
in touch, headway 9th to track leaders, effort 3out, went 2nd approaching last, kept on
held up towards rear, headway 5out, effort when mistake 3out, soon beaten
in touch, pushed along 5out, blundered badly next, no chance after
made virtually all, stayed on strongly from 2out
behind, struggling halfway, pulled up
towards rear, pushed along 10th, out paced 5out
This is a fascinating renewal but we're unwilling to look beyond last year's winner SILVINIACO CONTI. Paul Nicholls' classy three-miler left his seasonal debut well behind when reversing Wetherby running with Menorah in the Betfair Chase at Haydock. He also had Dynaste and Cue Card behind and that pair were also beaten in this last year along with Al Ferof. Cue Card will no doubt be prominent from the off again today but could face a battle for the lead with Champagne Fever. The latter tries 3m for the first time, however, and similar types have failed in this in the past. Wishfull Thinking had Wonderful Charm behind when winning the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon but the 11-year-old was earlier beaten nine lengths by Al Ferof at Ascot. Double Ross is held on all known form and though Johns Spirit is a very good handicapper, he's better at Cheltenham and over shorter.
Al Ferof (FR) 5-2fav (11-11) Raced wide, tracked leader until 4th, chased leading pair, 2nd again 7th, not fluent 4 out, closed 3 out, led on bit 2 out, clear before last, ridden out, won at Ascot 2m 3f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov beating Somersby (11-7) by 7l, 6 ran.
Champagne Fever (IRE) 8-11fav (11-1) Chased leaders and ran freely early, mistake 2nd, close up from 4th, improved to dispute and slight mistake 6th, led 6 out, challenged before straight, ridden approaching 2 out, clear after 2 out, kept on strongly, comfortably, won at Clonmel 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Nov beating Alderwood (11-5) by 6l, 7 ran.
Cue Card 3-1fav (11-7) Led, not fluent 10th and 11th, headed 4 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace, 4th of 9, 12l behind Silviniaco Conti (11-7) at Haydock 3m 1f chs G1 (1) sft in Nov.
Double Ross (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Behind, lost place 5 out, unseated rider last, in a race won by Silviniaco Conti (11-7) at Haydock 3m 1f chs G1 (1) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Dynaste (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, ridden before 2 out, one pace and no impression, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Silviniaco Conti (11-7) at Haydock 3m 1f chs G1 (1) sft in Nov.
Johns Spirit (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway before 9th, lost place 12th, closed when bumped 3 out, led last, headed close home, 2nd of 18, hd behind Caid Du Berlais (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
Menorah (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) In rear, hit 1st, headway before 12th, every chance 2 out, kept on and held run-in, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Silviniaco Conti (11-7) at Haydock 3m 1f chs G1 (1) sft in Nov.
Silviniaco Conti (FR) 10-3 (11-7) With leaders, led 4 out, not fluent 2 out and pressed, kept on well run-in, won at Haydock 3m 1f chs G1 (1) sft in Nov beating Menorah (11-7) by 2l, 9 ran.
Wishfull Thinking 13-2 (11-6) Jumped well, led, clever at 9th, joined 2 out, narrowly headed before last, rallied to regain lead run-in, driven and stayed on most gamely, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gs beating Eduard (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Wonderful Charm (FR) 15-8 (11-6) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 5th until next, chased leading pair, ridden on long run to 2 out where mistake, not quicken between last two, stayed on pressing for 2nd under pressure run-in, no impression on battling winner, 3rd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gs.
