close up, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, headway after 4 out, going well when close up and fell 3 out
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, chased winner run-in, no impression
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, outpaced from 2 out, plugged on and no impression
held up towards rear, headway before 6th, led 2 out, kept on strongly, eased towards finish
led, headed before 6th, weakened from 5 out, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, led before 6th, headed 2 out, no extra and lost 2nd place run-in
held up in touch, pushed along after 4 out, soon lost place
held up in touch, lost place before 5 out, weakened next, pulled up before 3 out
The brilliant Thistlecrack won this 12 months ago and past winners include champion stayers Baracouda, Inglis Drever and Big Buck's. Ballyoptic was a Grade 1 winner at Aintree in April and made a winning reappearance at Chepstow. He had every chance when falling at the last at Wetherby last time and would have finished ahead of The Romford Pele had he stayed on his feet. Reve De Sivola seems to have been around forever but Ascot next month is likely to be his target. Snow Falcon would need to improve again to complete the four-timer while Menorah is better over fences. UNOWHATIMEANHARRY made giant strides last term, culminating in a victory in the Albert Bartlett in March. He goes well fresh and could be a bit of value today having won at this meeting last year.
Reve De Sivola (FR) (10-10) 7th of 13, 27l behind Alex De Larredya (10-10) at Auteuil 3m gd in Nov.
Snow Falcon (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd and switched right after 2 out, ridden to lead run-in, stayed on well, won at Navan 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov beating De Plotting Shed (11-5) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
Ballyoptic (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace before next, rallied and close up on outside when stumbled and fell last, at Wetherby 3m (1) gd in Oct.
Ubak (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along after normal 3 out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 15, 9 3/4l behind Massini's Trap (10-2) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Unowhatimeanharry 11-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, slightly bumped 8th, headway after 3 out, pushed along after next, switched left before last, carried left, not fluent and led at hurdle, soon hung right, kept on well, won at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar beating Fagan (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 19 ran.
Maximiser (IRE) (10-7) 2nd of 7, shd behind Park Light (11-0) at Auteuil 2m 5f lst sft in Mar.
Menorah (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, on inside, lost place before 11th, soon outpaced, driven to chase leaders again after 5 out, ridden after next, rallied last, stayed on to chase winner flat, held near finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Irish Cavalier (11-6) at Wetherby 3m (1) gd in Oct.
Shades Of Midnight 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders after 4 out, ridden after next, outpaced when not fluent 2 out, never on terms, 6th of 11, 15 1/4l behind Definitly Red (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
The Romford Pele (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Pressed leader, led approaching 3 out, ridden before next, headed before last, no extra flat, 4th of 6, 5 1/2l behind Silsol (11-1) at Wetherby 3m (1) gd in Oct.
