chased leaders, ridden before hit 4 out, soon weakened
never fluent, always behind, blundered 7th, blundered 13th, pulled up before next
chased winner until 3 out, weakened next
in touch, chased leaders after 8th, weakened before 4 out, behind when fell next
chased leaders, 2nd 3 out, no chance with winner
led in start, made all, hit 12th clear after 2nd, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
NonRunner
Markov has gone up another 12lb since completing a double at Doncaster. He’s never won over a trip this far and looks vulnerable today, though his trainer has a good strike-rate here with his chasers. Philip Hobbs will have been delighted with DUKE DES CHAMPS’ first run back here in December. That was also his chasing bow so there should be plenty more to come. Lovely Job is much more exposed but has found a level of consistency and Three Ways has improved with experience. Minella Aris has had a break since falling at Wetherby in the autumn but needs to brush up his jumping while Ibis Du Rheu has yet to win over the larger obstacles and is having a first run since March last year.
Ibis Du Rheu (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Minella Aris (IRE) 10-11fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, headed before and fell 2 out, at Wetherby 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct.
Duke Des Champs (IRE) 5-2 (11-3) Held up in 4th place, mistake 6th, outpaced 11th, rallied into 2nd after 13th, no extra last, 2nd of 4, 3 1/4l behind Rocklander (11-7) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Three Ways 5-4 (11-0) Raced wide, disputed lead to 8th, tracked leader, led briefly after 11th, with leader, led again last, ridden clear flat, just held on near finish, won at Catterick 3m 1f (4) sft in Jan beating Impulsive Star (11-0) by hd, 4 ran.
Reigning Supreme (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway and in touch 10th, disputing 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 4 out, at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Indy Five (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Led in start, raced wide, fell 2nd, at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Markov (IRE) 2-1fav (11-1) Held up in touch, went 3rd from 7 out, led 2 out, clear before last, eased towards finish, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Dec beating Takingrisks (11-5) by 6l, 6 ran.
Lovely Job (IRE) 5-4fav (11-8) Made all, jumped left throughout, ridden after last, held on well towards finish, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Beau Du Brizais (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
