chased leaders, lost place before 14th, behind when hit 21st, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in mid-division, not fluent 9th, lost place 17th, behind when blundered 3 out, fell 2 out
in rear, last 12th, behind 16th, pulled up before 4 out
took keen hold, 2nd after 3rd, led before 14th, soon clear, reduced lead when hit 4 out, headed before next, weakened quickly, fell 2 out
chased leaders, hampered and lost place 20th, rallied approaching 3 out, weakened before next
held up in rear, blundered 4th, headway 19th, went 2nd after 4 out, led before 3 out, headed just before last, one pace and lost 2nd inside final 125 yards
in rear, last and reminder 8th, headway approaching 4 out, challenged after 3 out, led before last, edged right flat, stayed on well
chased leaders, blundered 13th,went 2nd 19th until after 4 out, ridden before 3 out, outpaced approaching next, rallied going to last, hung left flat, went 2nd inside final 125 yards, stayed on well, closing on winner close home
held up, took keen hold, not fluent 14th, headway approaching 3 out, 6 lengths 6th when fell 2 out
chased leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 21st, lost place after 3 out, pulled up before next
in rear, not much room 1st, pulled up and dismounted before 20th
mid-division, fell 18th
mid-division, headway on outside 18th, challenged 3 out, 3rd when blundered next, no extra final 150 yards
held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, hampered by loose horse 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened next
mid-division, blundered 1th, close 4th and ridden before 2 out, weakened last
led, blundered 12th, headed before 14th, stayed 2nd until 19th, blundered next, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out
took keen hold, chased leaders, lost place after 4 out, well beaten before 2 out
soon in mid-division, struggling 18th, behind next, pulled up before 21st
mid-division, headway 15th, blundered 4 out, saddle slipped and rider lost irons, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, mistake and unseated rider 13th
This looks wide-open but the mare Ballychorus has a good record when completing. Minella Rocco seemed to be getting his act together when only beaten half-a-length by Vyta Du Roc in a Grade 2 over 3m at Ascot and Derek O'Connor will be trying to nurse him into contention. His yard farmed this contest in the Noughties, winning four times, though not many six-year-olds have won the race in recent times. NOBLE ENDEAVOR was beaten five lengths by Measureofmydreams in a Grade 2 at Navan last month with Pleasant Company a well-beaten third. But Gordon Elliott's stayer is confidently expected to reverse that form over this much longer trip and give his trainer and accomplished jockey a second successive victory in the race. Pont Alexandre has been keeping very good company and will be a threat of lasting home and a case can also be made for Definitly Red. Vieux Lion Rouge could also figure back in novice company, though hasn't enjoyed much luck around here in the past.
Bally Beaufort (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) With leader, effort from 4 out, weakened after next, last of 5, 21 1/4l behind Sausalito Sunrise (11-10) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) sft in Feb.
Definitly Red (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear and in touch, mistake 8th, headway after 5 out, led before 4 out, headed before last, no extra, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Blaklion (11-7) at Wetherby 3m (1) hvy in Feb.
How About It (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) In touch, tracked front pair 5th, mistake 7th, lost place when ridden after 3 out (usual 5 out), soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Johnny Og 8-1 (11-8) Made all, 10 lengths clear 5 out, hard ridden 2 out, stayed on gamely, won at Newbury 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Mar beating Exmoor Mist (11-3) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Local Show (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Jumped well, made all, ridden after 3 out, stayed on well when strongly challenged flat, just held on, won at Kempton 3m (4) sft in Jan beating Onenightinvienna (11-6) by hd, 4 ran.
Measureofmydreams (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up, 5th halfway, improved to challenge and slight mistake 3 out, soon disputed, ridden in 2nd before last, 1-length down when left in lead last, kept on run-in, won at Navan 3m (1) hvy in Feb beating Noble Endeavor (11-3) by 5l, 6 ran.
Minella Rocco (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, chased leaders next, stayed on strongly to go 2nd closing stages, nearest finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Vyta Du Roc (11-0) at Ascot 3m (1) sft in Feb.
Native River (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Tracked leader, outpaced from 4 out, kept on and no impression, 3rd of 6, 18l behind Blaklion (11-7) at Wetherby 3m (1) hvy in Feb.
Noble Endeavor (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, improved to challenge after 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no impression before last where left 2nd, kept on same pace and no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Measureofmydreams (11-3) at Navan 3m (1) hvy in Feb.
Pleasant Company (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Led and disputed, ridden in 4th 2 out, soon no extra, left moderate 3rd last, 3rd of 6, 23l behind Measureofmydreams (11-3) at Navan 3m (1) hvy in Feb.
Pont Alexandre (GER) 9-4 (11-10) Led, tended to jump slightly right, slight mistake 8th, pushed along approaching straight, narrowly headed before last and bad mistake, dropped to 3rd and kept on same pace closing stages, 3rd of 6, 4 3/4l behind Outlander (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Shantou Flyer (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, ridden in rear and no impression entering straight, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last, at Navan 3m (1) hvy in Feb.
Southfield Royale 11-2 (11-7) Jumped left at times, prominent, led 10th, 3 lengths clear 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Tea For Two (11-7) at Kempton 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Vicente (FR) 13-2 (11-9) Held up on outside, jumped slowly 4th, hit 11th, mistakes 13th, 14th and 15th, in touch when hit 4 out, blundered and lost touch next, 4th of 6, 17 1/2l behind Blaklion (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m 1f (2) sft in Dec.
Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) 3-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, mistake 13th, soon lost place, rallied 5 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, 2nd of 5, 12l behind Sausalito Sunrise (11-10) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) sft in Feb.
Vintage Vinnie (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Led, mistake 3 out, headed before next, one pace, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Thomas Brown (11-6) at Doncaster 3m (4) gs in Jan.
Viva Steve (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Took keen hold in touch, not fluent 10th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 15, 13 1/2l behind Theatre Guide (10-6) at Kempton 3m hcp (1) gs in Feb.
Waldorf Salad 11-4fav (10-6) Led, soon pressed, driven from 5 out, headed before 2 out, weakened, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Sausalito Sunrise (11-10) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) sft in Feb.
Warrantor (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Held up in touch on outside, close up in 4th when fell 4 out (usual 5 out), at Carlisle 3m hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Ballychorus (IRE) 2-5fav (11-7) Led, slight mistake 10th, joined 12th, just in front 2 out and jumped left, asserted from before last where slight mistake, pushed out briefly, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Thurles 3m hvy in Feb beating Emcon (11-4) by 9l, 4 ran.
