led, not fluent 3rd or 5th, ridden and headed just after 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up in mid division, headway 5th, not fluent 3 out, led approaching last, ridden and headed flat, ran on towards finish
held up in rear, ridden after 3 out, never going pace to get near leaders
in touch, led briefly approaching last, close 3rd when not much room at flight, one pace flat
held up towards rear, headway 5th, well there 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
mid division, headway approaching 3 out, chasing leaders 2 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, ridden after 2 out, never on terms
chased leader to 3rd, remained prominent, outpaced from 3 out, stayed on again last, no danger
prominent, disputing 2nd when hit 3rd, weakened after 2 out
always prominent, led soon after 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway on inside 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, blundered 2 out
patiently ridden in rear, not fluent 4th, headway after 3 out, went slightly right and challenged last, led flat, all out
Nonrunner
Detroit City won this as a four year old off topweight but he faced an easier task than Ashkazar and we're happy to field against the Pipe runner despite Crack Away Jack franking the form and the positive vibes emerging from the yard; well, you have to take a stand sometimes. AIGLE D'OR is the suggestion with Cuan Na Grai also thrown into the ring. Ashkazar's chances are there for all to see and he's one of few in the field with the potential class to emulate the achievements of Detroit City and Sizing Europe who have won the last two renewals of this race. Another with the potential to make up into a top class performer is Aigle D'Or who has been off since disappointing at the Festival. His three runs over hurdles have all been over further but this should be run at a decent enough clip to bring his stamina into play; he's open to improvement and his yard could hardly be in better form. The ground is a bit soft for Blue Bajan and that's also a worry for Cuan Na Grai but Paul Nolan's runner didn't fare too badly on heavy ground last time. He's had his ups and downs but is very good on his day and could be one to chance at a price. Rippling Ring had excuses for his reappearance flop and is sure to be popular whilst Cesarewitch third Mamlook is another who should have a profitable season ahead of him. There's been support for Numide in the week and Gary Moore's record at scooping the big prizes is excellent. He didn't have much time between the end of his Flat career and hurdling last season and may have benefited from another year but he has too many questions to answer for our liking. Silver Jaro is 7lbs higher than when winning the County Hurdle so has to be included in calculations but we'll nail our colours to the mast of Aigle D'Or.
Pigeon Island 16-1 (11-3) Hampered on bend after 5th, always towards rear, 8th of 15, 13l behind Sentry Duty (11-0) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gd.
Aigle D'or 4-1fav (11-7) Always towards rear, 13th of 15, well behind Fiveforthree (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Silver Jaro (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Raced 3rd early, dropped to rear after 5th, ridden into 2nd after 3 out, stayed on from before last, not reach winner, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Jubilant Note (11-0) at Killarney 2m 4f hdl gd in Aug.
Squadron 5-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, led after 4 out, ridden after next, left clear last, won at Aintree 2m 4yo hdl (2) sft in Oct beating Fushe Jo (10-12) by 18l, 5 ran.
Mamlook (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Held up, behind when brought down at the 2nd in race won by Blue Bajan (10-8) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in May, 24 ran.
Rippling Ring (SAF) 8-15fav (11-12) Chased leaders, weakened towards finish, 5th of 14, 6l behind French Opera (11-8) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Oct.
Schelm (GER) 16-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden in 11th before 2 out, 9th 2 out, 7th entering straight, kept on same pace, 8th of 20, 7l behind Indian Pace (9-10) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gd in Jul.
Wingman (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, every chance before 2 out, weakened well before last, 20th of 22, 37l behind Silver Jaro (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Mudslinger (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Mid-division, progress into 2nd travelling well 3 out, led entering straight, soon ridden clear, reduced lead when not fluent last, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 19, nk behind De La Rue (10-6) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl 0-123 gs in.
King's Revenge 16-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd soon after last, always held by winner, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Sentry Duty (11-0) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gd.
Roman Villa (USA) 33-1 (10-6) Always behind, 14th of 15, 45l behind Sentry Duty (11-0) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gd.
Numide (FR) 33-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, weakened before 2 out, 13th of 22, well behind Captain Cee Bee (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Ashkazar (FR) 15-8fav (11-12) Held up in touch, hit 2nd, led approaching 3 out, shaken up before last, ridden, headed flat, soon slightly checked, stayed on towards finish, always held, 2nd of 22, 2 1/2l behind Crack Away Jack (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m lst hcp hdl.
Blue Bajan (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on well from last, 3rd of 15, 7l behind Sentry Duty (11-0) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gd.
Cuan Na Grai (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up, 6th 4 out, ridden and kept on one paced after 3 out, 4th of 7, 6l behind Megans Joy (11-2) at Tipperary 2m hdl Grd 2 hvy in Oct.
Motorway (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, challenging last, not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Leamington Lad (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
The God Of Love (USA) 11-1 (10-6) Always towards rear, 11th before 3 out, 9th before straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 6th of 14, 13l behind Dariak (10-11) at Tralee 2m 1f hcp hdl gs in Sept.
