held up towards rear, driven after 3 out, stayed on same pace and no impression from next
led until headed 6th, chased leader, hit 8th, lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened soon after
keen, held up in rear, good headway 7th, chased leaders 9th, led 2 out, soon drew well clear, eased towards finish, very easily
chased leaders, hit 9th, stayed on from 2 out, kept on flat to press for 2nd but no chance with very easy winner
raced wide throughout, held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders 9th, ridden 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off when blundered last
held up in mid-division to rear, ridden and struggling 3 out, stayed on to modest 5th close home, never any chance
took ken hold, held up in mid-division, headway from 3 out, went 3rd 2 out until last, weakened flat
chased leaders, weakened soon after 3 out, tailed off
close up, pushed along after 6th, not fluent and ridden next, weakened 8th, soon lost touch, tailed off
raced wide, close up, weakened 9th, soon behind, tailed off
chased leader, led after 6th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon no chance with very easy winner, just held on for 2nd
behind, headway under presssure after 3 out, stayed on to 4th flat, going on close home
always towards rear, blundered 9th, struggling and no chance after, tailed off
soon detatched, tailed off 7th, pulled up 4 out
Withdrawn
This looks a tricky puzzle to solve but supporters will almost certainly get a run for their money out of Fair Along, who loves it around here and gave weight and a beating to Kayf Aramis at Wetherby on his reappearance. Mobaasher returned to form at Warwick two weeks ago and won't fail through lack of stamina but there is a question mark over whether Organisateur will stay this longer trip. Grands Crus is an improving young stayer and shouldn't be far away but it may be worth taking a chance on the fitness of BENSALEM. Runner-up to Quevega on his final start of last season in a Grade 1 at Punchestown, the eight-year-old will stick to hurdles this term and has a terrific record over the smaller obstacles having never finished out of the first two. That suggests the eight-year-old is nicely treated here.
Cristal Bonus (FR) 25-1 (11-8) Held up behind, effort to chase leaders on inside approaching 2 out, soon outpaced, no impression approaching last, 5th of 9, 11l behind Menorah (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl G2 (1) gs in Dec.
Fair Along (GER) 6-1 (11-8) Led after 1st, not fluent 6th, headed approaching 8th, led before 3 out, mistake 2 out, stayed on gamely, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hdl G2 (1) gd in Oct beating Kayf Aramis (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Grands Crus (FR) 6-4fav (10-10) Held up behind, headway and in touch halfway, led after 4 out, not fluent next, drew clear from next, very easily, won at Haydock 3m Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov beating Barafundle (10-8) by 10l, 18 ran.
Restless Harry 12-1 (11-7) Disputing 2nd behind clear leader, closed 7th, 2nd after 4 out until ridden and outpaced next, stayed on flat to close on well held 2nd close home, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Big Buck's (11-7) at Newbury 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in Dec.
Spirit River (FR) 11-8fav (11-0) Close up disputing 4th, left chasing clear leader 7th (water), hit next and 10th and lost 2nd, weakened 11th, in rear and struggling when went badly left collided with wing and fell heavily 3 out, in a race won by Reve De Sivola (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) gd in Dec, 6 ran.
Arcalis 33-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd soon after last, one pace, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Big Buck's (11-8) at Newbury 3m hdl G2 (1) gs in Nov.
Bensalem (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Held up, headway to 7th 5 out, 5th 2 out, ridden into 3rd last, kept on to 2nd run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Quevega (11-5) at Punchestown 3m hdl G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Gwanako (FR) 28-1 (10-7) Mid-division, some headway 2 out, stayed on well from last, keeping on towards finish, 4th of 17, 8l behind Ashkazar (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs.
Hills Of Aran 40-1 (10-13) Towards rear, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous, 11th of 19, 25l behind James De Vassy (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gs.
Kayf Aramis 33-1 (11-7) Close up in chasing group, struggling in 5th after 4 out, poor 4th as field came into view final 110 yards, tailed off, 4th of 6, 27l behind Big Buck's (11-7) at Newbury 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in Dec.
Knockara Beau (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, mistake 6th, hit 8th, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 31l behind Tartak (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs.
Mobaasher (USA) 12-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway approaching 8th, challenged 2 out, led, idled and went left last, driven out, won at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy beating Alfie Spinner (10-6) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Organisateur (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) In touch, headway 3 out, challenged and every chance when went badly left next, soon chased winner and ridden, kept on under pressure flat, 2nd of 19, 2l behind James De Vassy (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gs.
Sweet Seville (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 9th, led 3 out, strongly challenged after next, hard ridden, stayed on well under pressure, won at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy beating Loco Grande (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Benbane Head (USA) 11-4fav (11-11) Held up towards rear and keen, chased leaders 3rd, chased winner from 7th until approaching 3 out, in 4th and weakening when fell 2 out, in a race won by Lackamon (10-1) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft, 8 ran.
Ballyfoy (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Towards rear, hit 4th, outpaced from 13th, never dangerous, 8th of 18, 26l behind Synchronised (11-6) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs (1) sft.
