tracked leaders, lost place 4th, outpaced in 5th after 4 out, well beaten next
held up in rear, hit 4th, pushed along 9th, well beaten after 4 out, mistake 3 out
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, 2nd before 3 out, led on home bend, went slightly left 2 out, clear last, stayed on strongly
took keen hold, tracked leaders, bumped 1st, 2nd 5th until before 3 out, 2nd again from 2 out, no impression on winner last, kept on
held up, not fluent 1st, jumped right and hit 5th, closed 7th, 4th and outpaced before 3 out, no impression
tracked leader, pecked 1st, lost 2nd 5th, lost place 7th, well beaten from 4 out
held up in rear, mistake 1st, fell 3rd
led, jumped left 3 out, 3rd and beaten 2 out, weakened last
If Simonsig is anything like the fine performer he was in 2012 and 2013, he'll be more than good enough with race conditions ideal as he receives weight from four of seven rivals. His first two comeback runs suggested a decent level of ability remained before he was easily swept aside back over hurdles in France. Hopefully, all is well with him and he'll deliver a good performance but if SPECIAL TIARA, also well suited by race conditions, can repeat the level of his Champion Chase third back in March, he could prove the toughest of nuts to crack. Fox Norton was most impressive when landing a competitive handicap here at the season's opening meeting and is the likeliest beneficiary should the aforementioned pair arrive a little too ring-rusty. Top Gamble may also need the run, whilst Simply Ned and Savello have each-way chances at their best.
Top Gamble (IRE) 5-4fav (11-10) Held up early, progress into 4th at 5th, 3rd at 7th, slight mistake 6 out, improved into 2nd entering straight, challenged 3 out, led before 2 out, ridden to assert before last, kept on strongly run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Mar beating Sizing Granite (11-12) by 7l, 6 ran.
Savello (IRE) (10-10) 4th of 18, 13 1/4l behind Solonder (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 2f sft in May.
Fox Norton (FR) 5-2fav (11-1) Chased leaders, 2nd before 9th, led 4 out, clear when not fluent next, edged right flat, stayed on strongly, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Sizing Platinum (10-9) by 11l, 14 ran.
Simply Ned (IRE) 6-5fav (11-12) Tracked front pair, went 2nd from 4th, not fluent 3 out, challenged next, soon driven and one pace, ridden and edged left flat, gaining near finish, just held, 2nd of 4, nk behind Theflyingportrait (10-1) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (2) gf in Oct.
Just Cameron 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, effort 2 out, kept on well closing stages, 3rd of 10, 5 1/2l behind Witness In Court (10-13) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Module (FR) 9-1 (11-10) Raced wide, off the pace in 4th, pushed along and struggling after 4 out, 3rd briefly before 3 out, soon weakened, mistake last, 4th of 5, 30 1/4l behind Special Tiara (11-0) at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Simonsig (10-5) 11th of 13, dist behind Un De Sceaux (10-5) at Auteuil 2m 5f (1) hvy in May.
Special Tiara 5-1 (11-12) Led, jumped left, ridden from 3 out, joined entering straight, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 21 1/4l behind God's Own (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
