chased leader, hampered 5th, led from 2 out, headed approaching last, soon dropped to 3rd and kept on same pace
led, jumped left, left clear from 5th, slow jump and reduced lead from next, headed from 2 out, soon no impression under pressure and kept on same pace
held up, closed into 4th approaching 3 out, no extra from next
held up, closer in 7th from 4 out, 5th approaching straight, ridden to chase winner before last, kept on well run-in without matching winner
mid-division best, no impression 2 out
raced in 2nd until fell 5th
towards rear, no extra from before 2 out
prominent, 4th approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
chased leaders, closer 4th from 4 out, ridden to lead approaching last where bad mistake but landed running, stayed on well run-in
mid-division, closer in 6th from 4 out, ridden approaching straight, soon no impression and kept on without threatening
This looks a high-class renewal, as it did a year ago when QUEVEGA beat Bensalem and Mourad with Oscar Dan Dan in fifth. Willie Mullins' brilliant mare has had just one subsequent run, when impressively accounting for Sparky May in the David Nicholson at Cheltenham, and must be the selection this time. The champion trainer also runs the frustrating Mikael D'Haguenet, who reverts to hurdling after a disappointing time over fences. He was a top-class performer over the smaller obstacles and a big run is expected. Carlito Brigante is a talented young staying prospect who scored over 2m5f at Cheltenham before finding Big Buck's, Grands Crus and today's rival Won In The Dark too much to handle at Aintree. He should do better here while it will be interesting to see how the very useful Luska Lad handles the trip. Battle Group had an easier task here yesterday while Voler La Vedette, another high-class mare, is also having her first start beyond 2m5f.
Carlito Brigante (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders before 4 out, in 3rd and held when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 24l behind Big Buck's (11-7) at Aintree 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in Apr.
Luska Lad (IRE) 6-4 (11-10) Led, challenged 2 out where mistake, soon headed and ridden, no extra and kept on same pace from before last, 2nd of 3, 3 1/2l behind Dunguib (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Mikael D'haguenet (FR) 3-1 (11-10) Held up in last, moderate 6th 4 out, no impression in 5th before straight, left 4th 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 23l behind Realt Dubh (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs G1 gd in Apr.
Mourad (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, headway 2 out, effort and every chance approaching last, ridden and kept on to chase leading pair flat, no impression, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Big Buck's (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Oscar Dan Dan (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Always prominent, disputed lead until headed after 3rd, disputed again before 4 out, headed under pressure 2 out, soon no impression and kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Voler La Vedette (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Rigour Back Bob (IRE) 80-1 (11-10) Mid-division on inside, outpaced 2 out, son ridden, stayed on to chase leaders approaching last, kept on flat, no impression, 5th of 13, 6l behind Big Buck's (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Ringaroses 7-1 (11-0) Towards rear, hampered after 1st, headway before 2 out, chased winner flat, no impression, 2nd of 20, 5l behind Battle Group (11-1) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Won In The Dark (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear,headway after 4 out, chased leading pair from 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 11, 12l behind Big Buck's (11-7) at Aintree 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in Apr.
Quevega (FR) 5-6fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway after 7th, tracking leaders going well 3 out, went 2nd before next, led approaching last, soon clear, impressive, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gd in Mar beating Sparky May (11-5) by 10l, 14 ran.
Voler La Vedette (IRE) 11-8fav (11-3) Held up towards rear on outer, good headway approaching 3 out, led next, soon strongly pressed and headed at last, rallied under pressure to lead late run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr beating Blackstairmountain (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Battle Group 16-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, chased leaders before 3 out, led after last, ran on strongly, eased towards finish, won at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Apr beating Ringaroses (11-0) by 5l, 20 ran.
