held up, hard driven and beaten 3 out, clambered over next, finished tired
led, hit 9th, not fluent and headed 14th, stayed challenging until driven and no impression on winner 2 out, just held on for 2nd
chased leaders, mistake 9th, ridden next, mistake 11th, well behind from 13th
tracked leading pair from 3rd, closed to lead 4 out, in command 2 out, soon well clear, eased run-in
chased leaders until mistake 3rd, mistake and lost place 5th, behind when blundered and unseated rider 11th
held up, outpaced by leading trio from 12th, left moderate 3rd and mistake 3 out, kept on under pressure run-in to press for 2nd but no chance with winner
tracked leader, narrow lead 14th, headed 4 out, disputing 2 lengths 2nd when fell 3 out
Iris's Gift can outclass today's opposition, which includes the likes of Lough Derg, The Dark Lord and Unleash to name but three. The main thing to point out before anything else is that Iris's Gift lines up here in preference to a crack at the Hennessy on Saturday, and the hint should be taken. Having successfully lowered the colours of Baracouda in last season's Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham, Jonjo O'Neill's charge is expected to go right to the top over fences, and although his chase career began with a blip at Lingfield, he has since notched up three victories, the latest of which came at Cheltenham last month. His jumping still leaves a lot to be desired and he is certainly no natural, but his class carries him through when it matters, and that should be the case again here. Whether he is up to Gold Cup class in time remains to be seen, but this Grade 2 contest is well within his grasp. Lough Derg posted an encouraging debut over fences when second at Cheltenham and may be suited by this longer trip, so he should go well. He had both Unleash and Goblet Of Fire behind over hurdles last spring, and should have their measure again at least. The Dark Lord was expected to score at Fakenham, which he duly did, but he did not beat much and needs to jump better, and all in all it is Iris's Gift that has the best claims of all.
Goblet of Fire (USA) 2-1 (11-0) Held up, improved 7th, joined leader 9th, led 13th, headed next, led again 4 out, ridden and ran on flat, won at Fakenham 3m nov chs (C) gd beating Unleash (11-6) by 2l, 7 ran.
Iris's Gift Evensfav (11-8) Not fluent, narrow lead, mistakes 3rd and 5th, mistake and narrowly headed 7th, led next, mistake 12th, in command when left clear 4 out, won at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (B) gd in Oct beating Sweet Diversion (11-8) by 17l, 6 ran.
The Dark Lord (IRE) 5-6fav (10-12) Prominent, mistake 13th, led 2 out, ridden out, won at Fakenham 2m 5f nov chs (C) gd in Oct beating Tonic Du Charmil (11-8) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Darkness 11-4 (11-9) Led to 5th, behind when mistake 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 4, 9l behind Monet's Garden (11-3) at Ayr 2m nov chs (C) sft.
Senor Sedona 9-1 (11-6) Led to 4th, ridden 11th, weakened 12th, 5th of 7, 34l behind Celtic Son (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs Grd 2 (A) gd.
Unleash (USA) 4-5fav (11-6) Held up in rear, headway 11th, ridden to chase winner 3 out, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Goblet of Fire (11-0) at Fakenham 3m nov chs (C) gd.
Lough Derg (FR) 7-2co-fav (10-13) Chased leader to 3rd, prominent, pushed along approaching 3 out, stayed on approaching last, went 2nd flat, not trouble winner, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Crozan (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (B) gs.
