made all, went clear 4th, jumped left 8th 4 out and next, reminder after 3 out, in command next, stayed on well from last, unchallenged
chased winner who went clear 4th, pushed along and lost 2nd before 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 2nd, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, closer when hit 3 out, went 3rd before hit 2 out, one pace
tracked leading pair, 2nd before 3 out, travelling well enough on inside when hit 2 out, held and no chance after
in rear, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, went modest 4th after 2 out
NonRunner
Sceau Royal actually led ALTIOR over the last in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham but the Henderson superstar asserted his superiority in the closing stages, despite being below his best, and the Alan King runner was eventually pipped for second. Now unbeaten in 13 chase starts, it’s hard to imagine Nico de Boinville’s mount not winning this for a third year running. Diego Du Charmil and God's Own are both held on the form book but Ayr second Vosne Romanee could outrun big odds on the ground.
Altior (IRE) 4-11fav (11-10) Jumped left at few times, tracked leader, mistake 7th (water), led after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed last, edged left into rival and led again flat, stayed on well and asserting towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar beating Politologue (11-10) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Diego Du Charmil (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Always last, never on terms, last of 3, dist behind Altior (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f (1) gs in Jan.
God's Own (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Held up in last, effort on inside before 3 out, jumped right and weakened 2 out, remote last when jumped badly right last, 5th of 6, dist behind Min (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr.
Sceau Royal (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, effort after 3 out, challenged 2 out, led last, ridden, leant on by winner and headed flat, 3rd and held towards finish, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Altior (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Vosne Romanee 28-1 (11-7) Held up behind, headway 3 out (usual 4 out), chased clear pair bypassing omitted 2 out, went 2nd last, kept on, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 12, 9l behind Azzuri (10-2) at Ayr 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Darebin (GER) (11-12) won at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr