tracked leading pair, pushed along after 3 out, switched inside to challenge next, ridden between last 2, stayed on to lead flat, held on towards finish
held up in 4th, outpaced after 3 out, no chance with leaders when blundered next
led, driven after 3 out, ridden and headed next, kept on same pace approaching last, no impression flat
tracked leader, driven to challenge after 3 out, led next, ridden and headed flat, kept on, held towards finish
led in when went badly left and missed break start, always detatched in rear, tailed off
Overturn had Sanctuaire and Clerk's Choice behind when a creditable second to Grandouet at Cheltenham last time having beaten BINOCULAR by more than four lengths in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle last month. He's a credit to connections but the runner-up was very much in need of the run at Gosforth Park and was nursed home by McCoy once it became obvious he wouldn't catch the winner. Successful in this last year when Overturn was a four-length runner-up, Nicky Henderson's former champion could be the one to beat again this season. Rock On Ruby's Newbury win has worked out well and he will enjoy the likely fast pace as he stays further, though whether he'll have the speed to lie up with the principals today is another matter.
Binocular (FR) 5-4fav (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner after 4 out, ridden before last, kept on and no impression on winner, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Overturn (11-7) at Newcastle 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Nov.
Clerk's Choice (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up in 6th, outpaced 2 out, weakened before last, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Grandouet (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl G2 (1) gd.
Overturn (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Led, driven approaching last, ridden and headed flat, kept on, no impression with winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Grandouet (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl G2 (1) gd.
Rock On Ruby (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd before next, led going to last, ridden clear final 200 yards, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 2m Listed hcap hdle (1) gs in Nov beating Empire Levant (10-0) by 6l, 11 ran.
Sanctuaire (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Held up behind, some headway approaching 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, never on terms, 5th of 8, 17l behind Grandouet (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl G2 (1) gd.
