tracked leaders in 3rd, lost place before 10th, pulled up after next
held up in rear, headway from 4 out, went 2nd and hit 2 out, led approaching last, headed last 50 yards, no extra
held up towards rear, hit 5th, blundered and unseated rider 7th
held up mid-division, weakened approaching 12th
held up mid-division, hit 6th, went 3rd from 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, soon pulled up
held up towards rear, pushed along after 11th, weakened and pulled up before 14th
led, hit 13th, headed next, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, led 14th, clear 4 out, headed approaching last, rallied to regain lead last 50 yards
held up towards rear, hit 9th, never dangerous
held up mid-division, weakened after 12th, soon pulled up
held up in touch, not fluent when weakening 13th, soon pulled up
with leader, pushed along after 11th, ridden 5 out, went 3rd approaching last, no impression
Sagalyrique only just lasted home at Bangor so may be worth opposing from a 3lb higher mark with VICTOR DALY who won this race in 2008; others to bear in mind include Back Exit and Briery Fox. The selection certainly has something to prove having failed to complete on either of his last two starts but he's joined a new yard and has a good record when fresh whilst his poor sequence has seen his mark drop to a very attractive level. Radetsky March won well at Uttoxeter but this is a far stronger race and better claims are held by Sagalyrique who has won twice since arriving from France and will win again. Briery Fox benefited from a fine ride at Ascot but might not be as well suited by this track whilst Battlecry has something to prove, even in this company. Back Exit is 10lbs higher than when winning impressively at Leicester but he has very few miles on the clock and was wearing a tongue tie for the first time so may well have much more to offer. He's respected but we're going to take a chance with Victor Daly.
Battlecry 9-1 (11-12) In rear, mistake 2nd, soon pulled up, in a race won by Warpath (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd, 13 ran.
Briery Fox (IRE) 11-4fav (10-10) Patiently ridden, held up last, steady headway to 4th after 3 out, close 3rd 2 out, quickened to lead last, soon clear, won at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Apr beating Oscar Park (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Calatagan (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) In touch, lost place when hit 9th, some headway approaching 4 out, no impression when jumped left 2 out, 6th of 13, 8l behind Stormin Exit (10-0) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
College Ace (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) In touch, lost place halfway, 7th of 10, 30l behind Toby Jug (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
Sagalyrique (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, led 12th, clear before 3out, idled approaching last, just held on (no time taken), won at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr beating Michigan d'Isop (10-0) by hd, 5 ran.
Direct Flight (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, left 2nd 11th until 13th, 2nd again before 4 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear flat, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May '09 beating Le Duc (10-6) by 16l, 9 ran.
Radetsky March (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Made all, driven after 2 out, in command flat, stayed on gamely, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Apr beating Double The Trouble (10-13) by 4l, 12 ran.
Victor Daly (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Behind, blundered 6th, reminders 11th, headway into moderate 5th 14th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Spare Change (10-3) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jul, 10 ran.
Western Gale (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Held up in mid-division on outer, pushed along after 15th, soon struggling, tailed off, pulled up after 5 out, in a race won by Merigo (10-0) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 30 ran.
Aleron (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) In touch on inside, mistake 11th, hit next, soon lost place, weakened before 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Lease Lend (11-9) at Haydock 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Mar, 10 ran.
Back Exit (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 13th, soon driven, mistake 3 out, soon strongly challenged, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Apr beating Sea Cadet (11-8) by 7l, 8 ran.
Go West (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Mid-division, tracked leaders after 14th, lost place 19th, no danger after, 5th of 13, 12l behind Gentle Ranger (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Darn Hot 20-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, good headway 11th, led 3 out, blundered next, headed approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 9, 15l behind Roseneath (11-1) at Huntingdon 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs.
