always behind
held up in touch, headway to track leading pair from 12th, not fluent 15th, one pace and no impression from 3 out
made most, not fluent 9th, headed 12th, chased winner to 16th, weakened before 3 out, blundered next
held up in touch, mistake 9th, headway to chase winner from 16th, tried to challenge 3 out, held next, no impression
held up and behind, driven 16th, chased leading pair under pressure briefly 3 out, soon weakened
unseated rider 1st
chased leaders to 2nd, stayed prominent, challenged 11th, jumped slowly next, weakened 14th, soon tailed off
pulled hard, mostly tracked leader from 2nd, good jump to lead 12th, in command 2 out, soon clear easily
The Grand Military Gold Cup can be won by Whitenzo, with Carbury Cross, Curtins Hill and Snowy Ford rated as his main dangers. The Paul Nicholls-trained selection was very useful under Rules and he bounced back to winning ways for today's rider in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup. Connections will, naturally enough, be keen to secure a notable double and they hold a very good chance of doing just that. Carburys Cross was a useful handicapper under Rules, he even won at the Aintree Grand National meeting, and if retaining some of that ability looks set to run well, while the course and distance winner Curtins Hill remains consistent and will be ready to pounce if the others wilt. The best of Snowy Ford's Irish form would put him in with a chance and he too can be considered, but there is no getting away from the credentials of Whitenzo, who gets the vote.
Snowy Ford (IRE) 6-1 Led, reminders after 5th, mistake and headed 8th, 4th under pressure 5 out, weakened next, completely tailed off, 6th of 10, 41l behind Solar System at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-123 sft in Dec.
Carbury Cross (IRE) 28-1 Held up, raced wide, lost place 5th, not fluent 8th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 17th in race won by Southern Star at Warwick 3m 5f lst hcp chs (A) gs in Jan '04, 12 ran.
Curtins Hill (IRE) 6-1 Held up, hampered 2nd, steady headway from 12th, carried left 2 out, 4th and beaten when fell at the last in race won by You're Special at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (E) gd in Dec, 13 ran.
French Cedar 100-1 Mid-division, headway 7th and in touch, weakened 3 out, 12th of 15, well behind D J Flippance at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft.
High Peak 14-1 Mistake, held up in rear, behind and pulled up 2 out in race won by Don't Tell Jr at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Feb, 11 ran.
See You Around 3-1fav Chased leaders, ridden and lost place 12th, soon tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Gee Aker Malayo at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gs in Feb.
Whitenzo (FR) 7-2 Pulled hard, tracked leader, led 13th, going best when joined 3 out, in command soon after next, drew clear last, won at Sandown 3m chs (E) gd in Feb beating Joint Authority by 12l, 9 ran.
