chased leader, joined leader 9th, jumped well, ridden to lead after 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, well held when hit last, no chance with winner
led, hit 5th, ridden, headed 4 out, 3rd, held, pulled up quickly before 3 out, dismounted
held up, blundered 4th, lost touch 12th, tailed off 4 out, left poor 3rd approaching 3 out
prominent, outpaced 9th to after 13th, ridden, headway to chase leaders 4 out, led approaching 3 out, hit 2 out, went clear approaching last, very easily
always behind, hit 8th, lost touch when blundered and unseated rider 11th
Battle Cry is selected here ahead of Ornais and Joe Lively. Battle Cry did the job well at Wetherby last Saturday and, even though this race comes just seven days later, his yard is in very good form and he looks to be the one to beat. Joe Lively has won four of his last five races, two of them over fences, and he rates as a danger, although he has to concede weight to Battle Cry, while Gentleman Jimmy showed some promise over fences last season and Ornais proved himself very decent over hurdles. Once again, though, the selection is Battle Cry.
Joe Lively (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) In touch, headway to lead 4 out, drew clear before last, easily, won at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) gd in Oct beating Ice Tea (11-8) by 17l, 8 ran.
Battlecry 8-13fav (11-1) Tracked leader, challenged 4th, led approaching 3 out, clear 2 out, easily, won at Wetherby 2m beg chs (4) gf beating Water Taxi (11-1) by 9l, 4 ran.
Gentleman Jimmy 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, pecked 9th, blundered 14th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out, last of 4, well behind Ballyfoy (11-6) at Ascot 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd in Mar.
Ornais (FR) 50-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden after 7th, weakened 2 out, 10th of 20, 28l behind Wichita Lineman (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Mar.
Thunder Child 28-1 (10-13) Chased leader, reminder after 4th, joined leader 5th, ridden 7th, left poor 2nd 3 out, 2nd of 4, 18l behind Nation State (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (3) gf in Oct.
