towards rear, some headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, no impression
prominent, lost place 4 out
held up, pushed along and not fluent 4 out, kept on to chase winner flat
held up mid-division, ridden after 4 out, no impression
tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
towards rear, pushed along 6th, never dangerous
led, headed 5th, weakened after 4 out
in touch, went 2nd going to 2 out, led last, driven out
held up, weakened 4 out
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression
held up, chased leaders 4 out, weakened last
tracked leaders, weakened after 4 out, pulled up next
tracked leader, led 5th, headed approaching 3 out, led again approaching 2 out, headed last, no extra
held up, headway 4 out, weakened approaching next
Nonrunner
GOLD AWARD looks well handicapped on the pick of his form and is put forwards ahead of Galaxy Rock and Barcadero. The selection has won on his first start of the season on both of his seasons to race which suggests that he's fairly easy to get ready although this is significantly tougher. The form of his defeat at Warwick is only modest but he was in the process of running a much improved race at Cheltenham when falling and the handicapper has taken a chance in leaving his mark alone. Galaxy Rock has taken a couple of runs to hit top form this season but won very smoothly over course and distance last time. He's 8lbs higher now but there should be more to come. Barcardero is more exposed but, crucially, he's only had three starts for his current yard and scored impressively on the most recent of them. This is considerably tougher but anything his handler runs merits respect. Bruslini finally looks to be getting his act together and could conceivably improve for this trip as may Alesandro Mantegna, Harouet may yet live up to his billing and Magic Sky is chucked in on his chase form but the claims of Gold Award are preferred.
Galaxy Rock (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Held up in mid-division, any headway approaching 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, led before last, kept on strongly, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec beating Comehomequietly (10-0) by 5l, 12 ran.
Art Exhibition (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, struggling 5th, well behind when mistake 2 out, 20th of 22, 48l behind Silk Affair (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (4yo) (1) gs in Mar.
Bruslini (FR) 4-1 (10-4) Held up, headway 3 out, 3rd flat, closing on 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Royal Charm (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f 4yo hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec.
Ellen Tilley 8-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened soon after 4 out, 10th of 13, 46l behind Argento Luna (11-0) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs nov hcp hdl (4yo+) (1) gd in Mar.
Herons Well (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Led, headed approaching 3rd, tracked leader, led 7th, headed 2 out, every chance approaching last, no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Iconoclast (11-6) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Barcardero (USA) 7-2fav (11-7) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, headway in 4th 4 out, left 2nd 3 out, led before 2 out, ridden clear before last, kept on strongly, won at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs sft in Dec beating Inverlochy Lad (11-5) by 7l, 16 ran.
Soliya (FR) 9-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until ridden, weakened before 3 out, 9th of 11, 31l behind Elzahann (10-11) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Gold Award 7-1 (11-0) Steadied in touch, hit 3 out, blundered 2 out, ridden and disputing 6 lengths down in 2nd when fell last, in a race won by Tataniano (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Cosavita (FR) 33-1 (11-10) Held up in last pair, ridden along after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 5th of 10, 10l behind Aather (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Harouet (FR) 8-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, some headway after 4 out, one pace and no chance when jumped left 3 out, 5th of 10, 16l behind Green Belt Elite (11-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
French Saulaie (FR) 2-1fav (10-12) Held up and keen, chased leaders after 3 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Lake Legend (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Tiermore (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Held up in last, not fluent 5th or 10th, closed before 3 out, hit 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 29l behind Benbane Head (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gf in Oct.
Alesandro Mantegna (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) In touch, driven after 3 out, soon outpaced and lost place, rallied approaching last, went 3rd flat, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 10, 14l behind Radium (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Blue Express (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Towards rear, hampered 3rd, pushed along after 4th, struggling 4 out, tailed off, 12th of 14, 49l behind Chaninbar (11-11) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Magic Sky (FR) 10-1 (10-9) Took keen hold early, held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 10th, effort approaching 2 out, stayed on under pressure on long run from last, driven to lead towards finish, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec beating Private Be (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
