led until mistake and headed 5th, mistake and lost place next, behind when pulled up approaching 9th
tracked leader, left in lead and mistake 8th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened quickly
held up, headway on bit approaching 3 out, tracked leaders next, led last, hard held
held up, ridden 6th and soon struggling in rear
chased leaders, led 5th, stumbled on landing and fell 8th
held up in touch, chased leaders 8th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, reminders 4th, headway approaching 3 out, tracked leader 2 out, led before last, headed last, no chance with easy winner flat
in touch, chased leaders 3 out, driven and outpaced after next, stayed on at same pace
took keen hold tracking leaders, left 2nd at 8th, led after 3 out, headed after 2 out, soon outpaced
mistake 1st, soon ridden in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
Present Glory gets the vote over Beau Michel, Abragante and Vicario. David Arbuthnot is better known as a Flat trainer, but the exploits of Oscar Park and Present Glory over timber this season mean that he cannot be underestimated as he mixes it with the likes of Paul Nicholls and David Pipe. With that in mind, we feel sure that Present Glory will run a big race today, judged on his winning performance at Ascot in March when he defied an absence of 414-days to score comfortably. Given another break since, he meets the fourth horse Abragante on 7lb worse terms but should have plenty of improvement in him as he bids to maintain that form over Pipe's charge. Vicario has been off since floundering in the heavy ground at Haydock in January, but he too looks a most progressive sort, and if anywhere near fit, can be involved in the finish as well. Dr Newland has worked wonders with other people's cast-offs this term, and it would be no surprise if the much travelled Xellance were to go well, but Present Glory has plenty going for him here and can follow up.
Hirvine (FR) 16-1 (10-5) Chased leader, mistake 2nd, left in lead 5th, headed after next, ridden after 2 out, soon weakened, 21st of 24, well behind Oscar Park (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Arrayou (FR) 33-1 (10-1) Always behind, 17th of 24, 37l behind Oscar Park (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Abragante (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Held up, steady headway 10th, ridden in close 3rd 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 11, 12l behind Present Glory (10-4) at Ascot 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Vicario 9-2fav (11-1) Held up, headway approaching 5th, went 2nd 3 out, every chance from 2 out until no extra flat, 4th of 9, 10l behind Huka Lodge (10-9) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
Leading Contender (IRE) 15-2 (10-9) In touch, mistake 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after, 7th of 15, 23l behind Michael Muck (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Mar.
Hi Humpfree 14-1 (11-1) Led until 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next pulled up 2 out in race won by Mckelvey (11-5) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Mar, 16 ran.
Beau Michel (FR) 8-1 (10-11) Held up in mid-division, reminder after 5th, ridden and headway after 7th, chased leader approaching 2 out, went left after last, ran on to lead final 100 yards, all out, won at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb beating Nathos.
Present Glory (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Tracked leader, led after 3 out, soon hard pressed and ridden, stayed on, ridden out, won at Ascot 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar beating Mikado (11-6) by 2l, 11 ran.
Xellance (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 4th, one pace and no impression from 3 out, 4th of 15, 9l behind Herne Bay (11-2) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Jug Of Punch (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure approaching 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 10, 16l behind Delightful Cliche (11-0) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
