made all, jumped well, hard driven when challenged 3 out, quickened clear approaching last, easily
prominent, every chance 3 out, kept on same pace approaching last, no extra closing stages
chased leaders, effort 4 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
held up in rear but in touch, pushed along 7th, headway after 4 out, soon no impression
chased leaders, under pressure 4 out, weakened before next
None of these inspire much confidence but TRESOR DE BONTEE won over these fences at this time last year when beating today's rival Morgan's Bay. The latter went on to win at Fontwell but has been beaten off today's higher mark in a couple of subsequent starts. Doctor Phoenix and Gores Island have also struggled after a rise in the weights for earlier wins and Walk In The Mill's chase win in France is hard to assess as he has his first start for a new trainer.
Doctor Phoenix (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, last of 7, dist behind Upswing (11-1) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Gores Island (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Held up well off the pace in 4th, struggling before 4 out, stayed on to go 3rd approaching last, never a threat, 3rd of 5, 23 1/2l behind Arkaim (11-10) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Tresor De Bontee (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, closed 6th, lost place 5 out, well beaten next, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Owen Na View (11-5) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Walk In The Mill (FR) (10-12) at Auteuil 2m 1f gs in Apr.
Morgan's Bay 7-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway after 4 out, chased leaders next, mistake 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 6, 19l behind Rhapando (11-11) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Boss In Boots (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, mistake and unseated rider 2nd, at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
