led, raced freely, headed when mistake 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, lost place 6th, hampered 4 out, soon pulled up
chased leaders, led 3 out, soon strongly challenged, held on under pressure, all out
behind, headway 4 out, soon no impression, weakened 2 out, pulled up before last
held up in rear, headway into mid-division when fell 4 out
held up in rear, under pressure after 4th, behind when pulled up 6th
always prominent, mistake 6th, every chance approaching 2 out, no extra flat
tracked leaders, weakened 6th, soon tailed off, pulled up 3 out
mid-division, lost place 5th, hampered 4 out, soon rallied, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened before last
held up in rear, detatched after 3rd, soon tailed off
chased leaders, mistake 4th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up 3 out
Ivor's King has already had a terrific season and was completing a hat-trick when beating OTTO THE GREAT by nine lengths at Ascot. However, he's been raised a further 13lb for that latest success which means the runner-up is 11lb better off here. Nicky Henderson's four-year-old can reverse the form and finally get his head in front today. African Gold is also interesting as he won at Wetherby after a debut second over hurdles at Carlisle while Bathwick Brave won at Uttoxeter 12 days ago, though was a long way behind Ivor's King at Wincanton last month. Polarbrook was beaten less than a length at Carlisle earlier this month and looks the pick of Kim Bailey's pair, but is 3lb higher now.
Ivor's King (IRE) 7-2fav (10-13) Made all, stayed on strongly from 2 out, unchallenged, won at Ascot 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs beating Otto The Great (11-9) by 9l, 16 ran.
Otto The Great (FR) 9-2 (11-9) Close up, headway to chase leaders 7th, went 2nd after 3 out, no chance with winner, stayed on to hold 2nd, 2nd of 16, 9l behind Ivor's King (10-13) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs.
African Gold (IRE) 2-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 6th, challenged 3 out, soon edged left, went 2nd approaching last, led flat, stayed on well, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs beating Beeves (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Should I Stay (FR) (10-3) in a race won by Lucky Six (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 5f chs sft in Aug, 8 ran.
Bathwick Brave (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft beating Kusadasi (10-6) by 5l, 11 ran.
Tycoons Reflection (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) In rear, not fluent 2nd, blundered next, mistake 7th, soon detached, tailed off from 10th, pulled up after next, in a race won by Lively Baron (10-12) at Warwick 3m nov chs (4) gd in Feb, 5 ran.
Faultless Feelings (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division on inside, chased leaders when not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened from next, 5th of 14, 25l behind Bellflower Boy (11-0) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Baroque Man 10-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden after last (usual 4 out), soon weakened, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Sixty Something (11-7) at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Oct.
Polarbrook (IRE) 9-4fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, challenging when blundered 2 out, ridden before last, rallied run-in, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Mitchell's Way (11-9) at Carlisle 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Regal Approach (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Tracked winner, not fluent 8th, pushed along 15th, reminders after 15th, lost 2nd 5 out, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 3rd of 5, well behind Galaxy Rock (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr '11.
John's Gem 25-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, mistake 2 out, stayed on last, never nearer, 4th of 11, 23l behind Farmer Matt (10-2) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Kayfrou 13-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, outpaced before 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 9l behind Typhon De Guye (11-3) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd.
