tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, lost place 6th, ridden after 3 out, never a threat
prominent, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
in touch on outer, led 3rd, jinked right approaching 5th, narrow advantage when blundered and unseated rider soon after 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, no impression in 4th before next
in touch on outer, lost place before 7th, behind from next, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 4 out, never on terms, weakened before 2 out, tailed off when fell last
held up behind, headway after 6th, left in lead soon after 3 out, ridden between last 2, stayed on well
held up behind, smooth headway after 4 out, tracked leading pair after next, went 2nd 2 out, ridden and one pace last, held flat
led to 3rd, remained prominent, lost place 7th, weakened and pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, tracked leaders 6th, left 2nd soon after 3 out, effort before next, ridden and no impression in 3rd from last
Paul Nicholls won this last year but Braqueur D'or has hardly set the world alight so far. Milord and Jaboltiski could have claims but both still appear high enough in the weights. Bendomingo has had his chances but Agincourt Reef is entitled to be near the head of the market on his latest third at Taunton and victory at Wetherby on Boxing Day when only a pound lower – he has a 7lb claimer on board to reduce his burden. Newton Abbot second SEBASTIAN BEACH just gets the nod, however, with Jonjo O’Neill Jnr taking off a valuable 7lb as well. There is probably more to come from the six-year-old this summer.
Milord (GER) 3-1fav (12-2) Led until 4th, remained prominent, lost place 8th, rallied and every chance 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 7, 10 1/2l behind Muthabir (11-9) at Taunton 3m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Jaboltiski (SPA) 8-1 (11-12) Tracke dleader, led 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, soon lost 2nd, plugged on same pace in 4th, 4th of 8, 7l behind Lets Go Dutchess (10-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Agincourt Reef (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Led and set steady pace, not fluent 1st, quickened before 6th, ridden and joined last, headed run-in, just lost out in battle for well held 2nd, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Beau Du Brizais (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gf in Apr.
Finula (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Held up in last pair, reminders after 6th, headway chasing leaders next, outpaced 3 out, no chance after, 5th of 8, 25 1/4l behind Le Dauphin (11-0) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Apr.
Sebastian Beach (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, 2nd soon after 2 out and ridden, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Lets Go Dutchess (10-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Lord Bryan (IRE) 11-4fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, 2nd before 4th until after 7th, lost place before 4 out, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Apr.
Dun Bay Creek 20-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, dropped to last 3 out, never on terms after, last of 7, dist behind Justification (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Bendomingo (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) Held up in rear, headway from 3 out, 3rd after next, no extra before last, weakened flat, 3rd of 6, 28 1/4l behind Potters Approach (11-12) at Stratford 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Mr Mcguiness (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Always last, not fluent 6th, losing touch when slipped up on bend after 3 out, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gf in Oct.
Daveron (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, ridden before last, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 22 3/4l behind The Road Ahead (11-4) at Bangor 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Braqueur D'Or (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Led to 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 13, 17l behind Lisheen Prince (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Nov.
