held up behind, driven 5 out, headway under pressure approaching 3 out, chased leading pair next, stayed on to take 2nd between last 2, no chance with easy winner
chased clear pair, close up 9th, outpaced when switched outside after 3 out, soon beaten
behind, jumped slowly 2nd, soon struggling in rear, lost touch 5th, unseated rider next
held up behind, outpaced 5 out, plugged on from 2 out, never near leaders
held up behind, smooth headway 5 out, went 2nd before next, led going well after 3 out, drew readily clear before next, very easily
in touch main group, close up 9th, outpaced 5 out, weakened 3 out, soon pulled up
led to 2nd, tracked leader and clear of rest until approaching 9th, led again before next, headed after 3 out, soon no chance with easy winner, lost 2nd between last 2
mid-division, chased leaders 4 out to next, soon weakened and pulled up
led 2nd, soon clear with one other until approaching 9th, headed before next, lost place before 4 out, no impression from next
mid-division, outpaced 5 out, weakened 3 out, tailed off
in touch main group, close up 9th, chased leading pair when mistake 3 out, lost place next, soon weakened
Another cracking renewal of this Grade 2 handicap that's been won by the likes of Kauto Star, Monet's Garden and Albertas Run in recent years. Wishfull Thinking found life tough last season after a successful novice campaign and may struggle to give weight away to battle-hardened chasers like Nacarat and Gauvain. Pacha Du Polder is only a five-year-old but won three times over fences last season, though was already beaten when falling behind For Non Stop at Newbury in February. Nick Williams' charge would prefer an easier surface, however, while Hector's Choice has more to do than when winning at Cheltenham in April and he was behind Nacarat in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton earlier. NOBLE PRINCE was a big disappointment when pulled up in the Ryanair Chase at The Festival but has everything in his favour again here and is worth another chance.
Wishfull Thinking 7-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway on outside approaching 6th, chased clear winner 4 out until ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 28l behind Sanctuaire (11-2) at Sandown 2m chs G2 (1) sft in Apr.
Nacarat (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Led to 3rd, tracked leader, led again 10th, hit 13th, ridden and headed between last 2, weakened flat, 5th of 11, 8l behind Follow The Plan (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Apr.
Gauvain (GER) 16-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, pushed along 5th, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Sizing Europe (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs G1 (1) gs in Apr.
Noble Prince (GER) 8-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, jumped right 6th, 7th and when mistake 8th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Riverside Theatre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
For Non Stop (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up behind, headway 12th, chased leading pair 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression, 3rd of 10, 14l behind Sir Des Champs (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gd in Mar.
Hector's Choice (FR) 4-1 (11-1) Led until 13th, stayed with leader, hit 4 out, led narrowly after 3 out, stayed on gamely to pull away final 100 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G2 (1) gs in Apr beating Aerial (11-3) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Stagecoach Pearl 12-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, soon hard driven, kept on well, never reached winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Quicuyo (11-0) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Pacha Du Polder (FR) 11-4fav (11-4) Close up early, tracked leader, led 4 out, ran on strongly, ridden out, won at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gd in Apr beating Rival D'estruval (11-0) by 14l, 6 ran.
Mad Max (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders on inside, effort 4 out, outpaced next, soon beaten, plugged on to go moderate 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 22l behind Giorgio Quercus (11-7) at Haydock 2m 5f grd chs (5yo+) (2) hvy in Jan.
Giorgio Quercus (FR) 25-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway 14th, chased leaders before 2 out, weakened and hit last, 10th of 26, 41l behind Always Waining (10-11) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 20-1 (11-9) In touch, chased winner from 3 out, left 3rd last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 12l behind The Disengager (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep.
