mid-division, driven to chase leaders before 3 out, soon outpaced, rallied after next, went 2nd and every chance last, kept on flat, held towards finish
tracked leading pair until lost action and pulled up quickly after 11th
mid-division, blundered 10th, badly hampered and lost place after next, not recover, no danger after, pulled up before last
held up in 4th, tracked leaders 3 out, switched inside next, ridden to lead before last, stayed on well flat
held up towards rear, headway 10th, hampered next, challenged and every chance 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, weakened last
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on approaching last, ridden to take 3rd flat, not reach front pair
led, blundered and headed 10th, tracked leader, blundered 5 out, every chance 3 out, lost place between last 2, soon weakened
tracked leader, led 10th, driven and headed approaching last, one pace when lost 3rd flat
mid-division, mistake 2nd, chased leaders 4 out, ridden and weakened between last 2
held up behind, outpaced before 3 out, never on terms
Nonrunner
Wishfull Thinking was a 14/1 chance when winning this last year. Bookmakers are unlikely to be as generous this time around as he can race off the same mark and Richard Johnson is again doing the steering. Rajdhani Express won the Topham over the Grand National fences here in April when Splash Of Ginge was pulled up. He should go well if translating that form to the Mildmay course. John's Spirit was highly tried last season while Sound Investment also goes on the short-list along with the lightly-weighted Le Bacardy. Duke Of Navan has flattered to deceive but has the ability to figure if in the mood. BUYWISE (NAP) possibly find 3m1f a shade too far when only fifth here in April but looks the pick of the weights on earlier runs over this sort of trip at Cheltenham.
Wishfull Thinking 25-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, blundered 2nd, lost place when blundered 11th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 10, dist behind Don Cossack (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr.
Rajdhani Express 10-1 (11-11) Towards rear, headway into mid-division 5th, tracked leaders when left 2nd 14th, poised to challenge 2 out, led after last, driven clear before elbow, ridden out, kept on, won at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr beating Fairy Rath (10-4) by 10l, 30 ran.
Johns Spirit (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, ridden to chase leading pair after 4 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, no chance with winner, 3rd of 10, 30 1/2l behind Don Cossack (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr.
Sound Investment (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up, outpaced before 4 out, stayed on 2 out, no impression last, 8th of 17, 12 3/4l behind Court Minstrel (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Duke Of Navan (IRE) 7-4fav (11-8) In rear and in touch, pushed along before 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 9l behind Claret Cloak (11-12) at Kempton 2m hcp (2) gd in May.
Buywise (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Towards rear, headway and blundered 7 out, kept on same pace from 3 out, 5th of 10, 6l behind Duke Of Lucca (10-4) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Lord Ben (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Led, strongly pressed into straight, headed 2 out, dropped to 3rd from before last, no extra and one pace run-in,, 3rd of 6, 6 1/2l behind Devils Bride (10-13) at Listowel 2m 4f sft in Sep.
Brave Spartacus (IRE) 17-2 (9-11) Slowly away keen held up, pushed along over 2f out, never a factor, 4th of 9, 24l behind Pecking Order (8-12) at Ripon 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd in Sep.
Surf And Turf (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Mid-division, well beaten after 3 out, tailed off, last of 17, dist behind Gran Maestro (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Le Bacardy (FR) 11-8fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, challenged last, led run-in, kept on to lead run-in, won at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in May beating My Brother Sylvest (11-12) by 3l, 7 ran.
Splash of Ginge 12-1 (11-10) Prominent to 5th, soon behind, hampered and almost unseated rider 12th (canal turn), pulled up before 15th, at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
