pulled hard tracking leaders, lost place 3 out
held up towards rear, lost action and pulled up before 4 out
held up, took closer order before 4 out, chased leaders next, every chance when mistake 2 out, weakening when blundered last, soon pulled up
held up towards rear, headway halfway, chased leaders 4 out, every chance after 2 out, led just after last, all out
with leader, every chance 4 out, led approaching 2 out, headed just after last, no extra closing stages
prominent, ridden approaching 4 out, stayed on same pace after 2 out, faded flat
tracked leader, led 6th, strongly challenged from 4 out, headed before 2 out, rallied and every chance last, kept on well under pressure
in rear when blundered and unseated rider 2nd
led, jumped right 1st, hit 5th, headed next, lost place before 7th
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
A terrific renewal of this Grade 2 contest in which Paul Nicholls, who has won it four times in the last nine years, is doubly represented. El Bandit has been improving with experience and seeks a four-timer. Bagad Bihoue may be more the finished article but will need to take a further step forward to complete a four-timer of his own. No Comment won a hotly-contested bumper at Punchestown in April and has already had a run over timber. He could be useful and is getting 7lb from Two Taffs, who had shown decent form prior to landing an Ayr handicap in April. Flat winner Mirsaale has won twice at Perth but, like chaser Valadom, could find this company too hot. It may also be too tough for Canton Prince and Birch Hill. COO STAR SIVOLA (NAP) had solid form in high-class juvenile events last season. Stepping up in distance should suit and the four-year-old can put his elders to the sword.
Bagad Bihoue (FR) 2-7fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, led after 4th, ridden clear before last, comfortably, won at Stratford 2m 3f (4) gd in Aug beating Sand Blast (11-5) by 8l, 4 ran.
Birch Hill (IRE) 11-8 (11-5) Led 1st, ridden and headed last, edged left and led again flat, hard pressed, held on, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f (4) gd in Aug beating Hassle (11-5) by hd, 5 ran.
Canton Prince (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Took keen hold, not always fluent, tracked leader, led 3 out, driven clear flat, won at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep beating Linguine (11-5) by 8l, 7 ran.
El Bandit (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 6th, went 2nd before 4 out, led last, ran on to draw clear flat, comfortably, won at Fontwell 2m 6f (4) gd in Jun beating Linguine (11-5) by 7l, 9 ran.
Mirsaale 2-7fav (11-5) Made all, clear 2 out, unchallenged, easily, won at Perth 2m (4) gd in Sep beating Miro (11-5) by 15l, 5 ran.
Three Ways 33-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, effort after 2 out, no impression, 7th and well beaten when fell last, at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gs in Apr.
Coo Star Sivola (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Prominent, led 3 out, headed just before last, kept on, lost 2nd final 75 yards, 3rd of 22, 1/2l behind Diego Du Charmil (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gd in Mar.
No Comment 7-2 (12-0) Mid-division, 11th halfway, progress over 4f out, 2nd entering straight and challenged over 1f out, ridden to lead 150 yards, kept on under pressure to assert close home, won at Punchestown 2m 2f Yielding in Apr beating Monalee (12-0) by 1/2l, 24 ran.
Valadom (FR) 8-1 (11-1) Made all, kept on well from last, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (3) gd in May beating Indian Stream (11-11) by 6l, 14 ran.
Two Taffs (IRE) 5-2fav (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, went 2nd before 3 out, led last, kept on and edged left last 100 yards, driven out, won at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Apr beating Missed Approach (11-5) by 3l, 11 ran.
Washed Ashore (IRE) 2-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, effort 2 out, ridden after last, ran on to challenge flat, led final strides, won at Worcester 2m (4) gd in Sep beating Barwick (11-5) by shd, 7 ran.
