As usual, a smaller and weaker field than contests the Arkle, but while Monet's Garden was a notable absentee, it still attracted the Arkle winner, who was unbeaten over fences, plus two high-class hurdlers and three representatives of the Paul Nicholls stable, which is traditionally very strong in the two-mile chase department.

The Arkle has been a good guide to this race over the years, and again the finish was dominated by two of the principals from that race. However, the placings were comprehensively turned around, with Cheltenham third FOREMAN reversing the form with winner Voy Por Ustedes to the tune of around seven lengths as the pair forged clear. Foreman wasn't fluent four out, where Voy Por Ustedes was just starting to put his mark on the race, and he was under pressure at the second-last, where Voy Por Ustedes still looked the likelier winner. But Foreman was responding, and after jumping the last virtually upsides he proved just the stronger on the run-in. A Grade 1 hurdle winner, Foreman is in his second season as a novice chaser, but he missed much of last year and had shown improved form in his last two starts. Tony McCoy felt that the softer ground helped make it more of a test and pointed out that he also rode Foreman closer to the pace this time. The eight-year-old has further options this season.

The case for Voy Por Ustedes was hard to fault, but he appeared to be beaten fair and square after moving up threateningly at the cross fence and then taking it up when flying the third-last. Alan King, who felt that the ground might just have suited the winner a shade better, said the runner-up will not be seen out again this season and will be campaigned towards the Queen Mother Champion Chase next term. He had looked a serious contender for top two-mile honours when he and Monet's Garden had dominated the closing stages of the Arkle, and he almost certainly still is.

Green Tango was keen and was allowed to go to the front. He wasn't great at the second ditch but held on to second until after the third-last. In the past he has looked better held up off a strong pace.

The ground wouldn't have been ideal for Accordion Etoile, but it was a blunder four out that finished his chance. He was still at the rear of the field but had yet to be asked a question.

Cerium is finished for the season after being pulled up in the straight. His jumping wasn't great, but Nicholls had said he had a worry about the gelding's wind (hence the first-time tongue tie). [GD]

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