keen, pressed winner, led narrowly after 3rd until after 7th, pressed winner, ridden to challenge and every chance last, driven and stayed on run-in, just held
held up in 5th, closer in 3rd place 12th, outpaced when dropped to 4th before 3 out, soon beaten
held up in 4th, went modest 3rd before 3 out, outpaced soon after, no chance with leading duo
raced wide, chased clear leading pair, closer 6th, went left and lost 3rd next, jumped slowly 11th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, jumped badly left 2 out
jumped well, led until narrowly headed after 3rd, pressed leader, led again after 7th, hit 2 out, joined last, kept on gamely under pressure run-in
Terrefort had useful form in France and was impressive on his UK debut at Huntingdon. This is a big step up in class but he wouldn’t be running here if connections didn’t think him capable. CYRNAME has only raced over 2m over fences so far but the way he pulled clear last time at Kempton suggests he should handle the extra half-mile. Kalondra has taken well to fences and shouldn’t be left out of calculations while West Approach is back over his best trip after finishing a well-beaten third in the Kauto Star at Kempton. No Comment must be held in some regard to make his fencing bow in a Grade 1 but may just need the experience and hasn’t raced since April.
Cyrname (FR) 7-4 (11-2) Jumped well, made all, clear approaching 2 out, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec beating Shantou Rock (11-2) by 7l, 4 ran.
Kalondra (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Took keen hold in last, jumped big1st, closed 3 out, led last, clear flat, readily, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) sft in Dec beating Coo Star Sivola (11-0) by 3 3/4l, 4 ran.
No Comment 7-1jfav (11-6) Chased leaders, 10th from 5th, went 3rd travelling smoothly before straight, soon briefly on terms, kept on well without mathcing winner run-in, 2nd of 25, 1l behind Minella Awards (11-4) at Punchestown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
West Approach 11-1 (11-7) In touch, headway 8th to track leaders, left second briefly 4 out, outpaced next, 3rd of 7, 22 1/2l behind Black Corton (11-7) at Kempton 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Terrefort (FR) 6-4fav (11-4) Jumped well, pressed leader, led 4th, clear flat, impressive, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Bentelimar (11-8) by 10l, 7 ran.
