keen, prominent, led 2 out, clear next, comfortable
led, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened flat
prominent, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, outpaced when hit 2 out
tracked leaders, lost place 3rd, hit 3 out, soon weakened
held up, close up after 3rd, ridden 3 out, outpaced next
keen, held up, effort 3 out, no impression from 2 out
always in rear, tailed off when pulled up 3 out
held up, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
ALTIOR may have been a lucky winner of a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last time as runner-up Maputo went lame after jumping the last when holding every chance. But he can still complete a four-timer as he should again beat third Simon Squirrel and the ground may not be testing enough for promising Fairyhouse maiden winner Open Eagle. Marracudja was impressive at Wincanton but is up against smarter opposition here. Gwafa could be one to follow in the coming months but is likely to need today's experience and bumper winner Meet The Legend also makes his debut over timber.
Altior (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 3rd, led when slightly hampered by loose horse after 2 out, hard pressed last, ridden flat, held on gamely near finish, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Nov beating Maputo (11-7) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Marracudja (FR) 6-4 (11-4) Raced keenly, made all, clear after 4th until before 2 out, pushed clear again between last two, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (3) sft in Nov beating Flamenco Lad (10-12) by 9l, 8 ran.
Open Eagle (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders on inner, close 3rd 2 out, improved to lead approaching last, ridden run-in, kept on well under pressure close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hvy in Nov beating Double Island (11-4) by 2 1/4l, 16 ran.
Simon Squirrel (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Hampered and left tracking leader soon after start, lost place after 3rd, renained close up in 3rd, effort on wide outside 2 out, one pace last, ridden and no impression flat, 3rd of 5, 5 1/2l behind Altior (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Nov.
Breath Of Blighty (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Tracked leader until after 2nd, stayed handy, weakened before 3 out, mistake last, 4th of 6, dist behind Apple Of Our Eye (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov.
Cashanova (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, challenged 3f out, in lead when in view entering final furlong, headed final 75 yards, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Mac Gregory (11-0) at Ludlow 2m (5) gs in Nov.
Gwafa (IRE) 8-1cfav (8-11) Tracked leaders, challenged over 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 18, 1 1/2l behind Battersea (9-0) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Meet The Legend 11-8 (11-7) Led, ridden entering final furlong, soon headed, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Fagan (11-7) at Ayr 2m (6) gd in Oct.
Pantoloni 100-1 (11-0) Held up behind, weakened before 4 out, fell last, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Red Orator 25-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, slightly hampered 6th, headway into 4th approaching 3 out, blundered next, 7th of 13, 35 1/2l behind Theo's Charm (11-7) at Plumpton 2m (4) sft in Dec.
