with leader, took narrow lead 7th, going strongly and 3 lengths clear when blundered 4 out, blundered and unseated rider 3 out
slight lead until headed 7th, chased leader, pushed along approaching 4 out, left in clear lead 4 out, still clear last, idled badly towards finish, headed final strides
tracked leading pair, pushed along approaching 14th, left 8 lengths down in 2nd 3 out, still plenty to do last, rallied on inner as leader idled towards finish, driven to lead final strides
held up, hit 4th, pushed along after 13th, struggling 4 out, left poor 3rd next
in touch, jumped slowly 10th, in last place next, struggling 13th
raced wide, close up, not fluent 6th, weakened 4 out
DENMAN is impossible to oppose and 'The Tank' can take this once again on his way to a mouth-watering clash with Kauto Star at Cheltenham; Air Force One might chase him home. Paul Nicholls' star won this last year and, unless he falls, then it is hard to see anything different happening. He is 29lb clear on official ratings and having brushed aside all challengers when winning the Hennessy here in November, he looks as good as ever. Tricky Trickster was bought by current connections with the Grand National in mind. His trainer hasn't won that race so it will be the ultimate target, and perhaps finishing close to the 182-rated stablemate wouldn't be the best idea from a handicapping point of view although he does need to gain a higher mark to get into the Aintree showpiece. Niche Market is a solid front-runner but he lacks the class to challenge on these terms despite being third in the Hennessy (receiving over two stone). Ollie Magern is gallant but not a shadow of his old self and his best form is early in the season, Wee Robbie is making up the numbers, so the more interesting runner is Air Force One. He was once touted as a future Gold Cup winner but was 12th on his only try. Efforts since have been weak but catching him fresh might be the best idea and on the ratings he should finish second. A distant second that is, as AP McCoy teams up with Denman for an ideal Gold Cup prep (worth £28,500).
Denman (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Always prominent, made most 10th to 14th, led 15th, made rest, strongly pressed from 2 out, driven and stayed on gamely run-in, won at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov beating What A Friend (10-4) by 3 1/2l, 19 ran.
Niche Market (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Chased winner, led 3rd to 7th, led again and hit 11th, headed 4 out, chased winner to 3 out, weakened from 2 out, last of 5, 39l behind Carruthers (11-7) at Newbury 3m grad ch (2) hvy in Dec.
Tricky Trickster (IRE) 4-11fav (10-12) Led until after 9th, pushed along after next, ridden after 3 out, edged right and no impression flat, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Chamirey (11-4) at Fontwell 3m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Air Force One (GER) 8-1 (11-10) Prominent, led after 4th, joined 6 out, headed before next where 4th, ridden in 6th before 4 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Notre Pere (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f Grade 1 chs sft in Apr, 12 ran.
Ollie Magern 33-1 (11-0) Held up behind leaders, mistake 15th, ridden and struggling 17th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 7, 35l behind Taranis (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Wee Robbie 12-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, some headway 12th, behind 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Richard's Sundance (11-9) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan, 15 ran.
