tracked leader, led before 3 out, 11/2 lengths clear when blundered next, ridden after last, kept on well
held up, in touch, headway when blundered 4 out, chased winner before next, soon driven and one pace, ridden after next, kept on, always held
held up, in rear, mistake 3rd, outpaced 4 out, rallied to chase front pair 2 out, no chance before last
tracked front pair, driven approaching 3 out, lost place next, ridden and weakened before last
led, driven and headed before 3 out, soon behind, weakened before next
tracked leaders, driven and outpaced 3 out, ridden after next, well held between last 2
Nonrunner
Hassle has been in terrific form, landing a Listed handicap at Market Rasen last month. But he's gone up another 10lb and wouldn't want any rain. Tommy Silver won a Listed hurdle for four-year-olds at Musselburgh in February and then ran in the Triumph Hurdle. He was only beaten half-a-length on his handicap debut off a similar mark at Sandown in April so has to enter calculations but Garde La Victoire is probably having a confidence-booster before resuming his chase career. WELSH SHADOW runs in the colours of the race sponsor so has probably been targeted at this. He was third over this trip in a Grade 2 at Kempton in February and can make a winning reappearance.
Garde La Victoire (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Mid-division, behind from 8th, outpaced next, blundered badly and unseated rider 4 out, at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Welsh Shadow (IRE) 4-7fav (11-10) Tracked leader, led 6 out, ridden after last, kept on, won at Ayr 2m 4f (3) sft in Apr beating Jetstream Jack (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 3 ran.
Curious Carlos 11-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, hampered next, never dangerous, 6th of 15, 8 1/2l behind Red Tornado (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Tommy Silver (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders 3rd, 2nd 3 out, led approaching 2 out until 2 out, chased winner, ridden disputing 2nd at the last, stayed on under pressure run-in,finished well, not quite pace to challenge, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Wolf Of Windlesham (11-5) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Hassle (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 2 out, ridden clear flat, in no danger after, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Sep beating Kapstadt (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Astre De La Cour (FR) 20-1 (11-3) Led until 3rd, stayed prominent, every chance 3 out, weakened next, 15th of 16, 31 1/4l behind Gwafa (11-0) at Haydock 2m hcp (1) gd in May.
Cardinal Walter (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Steadied start, held up in rear, eased over 4f out, virtually pulled up, last of 10, dist behind Ravenous (8-9) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (3) gf in Aug.