in rear until pulled up before 7th
held up in rear, 6th and in touch when fell 4 out
led, until before 3 out, weakened approaching next, tailed off
prominent, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on to take 3rd flat, no impression
tracked leader 2nd, led before 3 out, in command last, ran on well (no time taken)
held up in rear, took keen hold, mistake 2nd, headway 7th, challenged 4 out, stayed on same pace last
tracked leader until 2nd, prominent, not fluent 5th (water), ridden 3 out, no extra approaching last
mid-division, blundered 5th (water), soon lost place, no impression before 2 out, stayed on flat
held up, took keen hold, ridden 4 out, no impression, stayed on flat
The front-running PASSATO could be the ideal partner for Tony McCoy and the gelding can complete a hat-trick at the main expense of Stan and Storm Of Applause. Dishdasha has been in fine form over hurdles but he had been in good form over fences when coming into this race last year yet only managed to beat one home. Kikos finished a long way behind Smack That at Aintree and the winner didn't do a great deal for the form at Newton Abbot next time whereas Passato goes from strength to strength. He will need to maintain his level of improvement if he's to cope with his latest rise but he was very impressive over course and distance and could be a warm order. Stan is competitively handicapped these days and should be involved but may be better served by further whilst Storm Of Applause has run well fresh in the past but can't be described as either being particularly impressive or particularly well handicapped so the vote goes to Passato.
Stan (NZ) 4-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, beaten when left 3rd and hampered last, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Quito Du Tresor (10-10) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Smack That (IRE) 10-11fav (11-1) Held up in last, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, chased winner 2 out, no impression, lost 2nd last, weakened flat, 3rd of 5, 14l behind Blacktoft (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m nov chs (3) gf in Jun.
Lord Jay Jay (IRE) 22-1 (11-6) Led until slow and headed 8th (water) steadily weakened, tailed off 3 out, 10th of 12, well behind King Troy (11-12) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gf in May.
Dishdasha (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Soon tracked leaders, ridden after last, stayed on towards finish, held close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Wikaala (11-4) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
Passato (GER) 5-1 (10-7) Chased leader, led 6th, made rest, clear from 2 out, kept on strongly, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in May beating Mister Benedictine (10-11) by 17l, 9 ran.
Mibleu (FR) 9-1 (12-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway before 3 out, challenged before next, jumped right last, no extra, 4th of 12, 9l behind Yellow Flag (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Jun.
Kikos (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Led until not fluent 4th, led 8th until 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 18l behind Smack That (10-10) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Storm of Applause (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Prominent, weakened 4 out, 3rd of 15, 19l behind Watch My Back (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Dec.
Norborne Bandit (IRE) 7-2 (10-0) Took keen hold, held up in touch, not fluent and lost place 6th, behind 8th, stayed on to go 3rd 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Mibleu (9-10) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jun.
