led to 3rd, chased leaders until lost place after next, soon struggling, tailed off from 7th
held up in touch, went 2nd after 3 out, every chance between last 2, ridden and kept flat
raced wide, with leader, led 5th, hit next, headed before 7th, driven and lost place after 3 out, soon weakened, left poor 4th last
in touch, headway after 3 out, led between last 2, ridden and kept on well flat
tracked leaders, led 3rd to 5th, led again before 7th, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace
raced wide, in touch, headway 3 out, effort next, soon ridden and one pace, 4 lengths down in 4th when mistake and unseated rider last
held up in rear, headway and close up 6th when fell 3 out
Nonrunner
LOUGH DERG won this race last year and he can do so again at the main expense of Afsoun and Souffleur. David Pipe's 10-year-old won this off a slightly higher mark last year and we see no reason to take him on today. He finished behind Souffleur last time but that was over 3m1f and the drop back in trip will suit our selection much more than it will suit Souffleur today. The ground is also in the favour of our choice. Afsoun could prove to be a bigger danger as he will also be suited by this drop in distance and he is another who likes to get his toe in. Treaty Flyer has won over the course and distance, while Qozak has got a decent strike-rate over hurdles and he will go on the ground. There are plenty in with chances and we will nominate Lough Derg to repeat his success of last season.
Lough Derg (FR) 7-2fav (11-12) Led, pushed along after 7th, headed after 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 27l behind Souffleur (11-4) at Haydock 3m 1f hdl G2 (1) sft.
Souffleur 8-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, led approaching last, edged right flat, driven out, won at Haydock 3m 1f hdl G2 (1) sft beating Kayf Aramis (11-8) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Golan Way 16-1 (11-4) Prominent, mistake 3rd, led before next, headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly before next, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Tidal Bay (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G2 (1) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Trenchant 13-2 (10-12) Never travelling always in rear, pushed along and struggling 5th, tailed off 3 out, 9th of 13, 45l behind Beshabar (9-11) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft.
Afsoun (FR) 15-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, pushed along approaching 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 8, 32l behind Souffleur (11-4) at Haydock 3m 1f hdl G2 (1) sft.
Qozak (FR) 15-8fav (10-4) Mid-division on outside, headway 3 out, ridden and outpaced approaching next, no impression, 6th of 17, 13l behind Mamlook (10-1) at Ascot 2m 3f Ltd hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan.
Sway (FR) (10-5) 98th of 10, 50l behind Nikoline (10-1) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hdl hvy in Nov.
Treaty Flyer (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, every chance approaching 2 out, one pace, 4th of 12, 10l behind Zarinava (11-0) at Doncaster 2m hdl G2 (1) gs.
