chased leaders, went 2nd after 6th until 8th, led after 4 out, headed before next, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, headway 8th, challenged 3 out, switched right flat, no impression towards finish
led until 4 out, weakened and pulled up before next
tracked leaders, 2nd 8th, led 4 out, soon headed, led again approaching 3 out, headed before 2 out, no extra flat
with leader, lost place before not fluent 7th, pulled up after 4 out
held up in 5th, closed 8th, pushed along before 4 out, close up before 3 out, no extra last
held up in rear, headway from 4 out, challenged 3 out, led before 2 out, edged left flat, stayed on
Paul Nicholls has won three of the last five renewals and saddles Ptit Zig. He won a Grade 1 at Auteuil last year but tends to come up short in this company at home though, along with Lil Rockerfeller, is clear of the others on official ratings. Neil King's tough gelding ran a brilliant race in the Stayers' Hurdle in March but was only third in this last year on his reappearance and still hasn't won over the trip. Colin's Sister could be interesting if she lasts home but Fountains Windfall and Gayebury will need to improve again to figure in this higher grade and Missed Approach will be back over fences sooner rather than later. WHOLESTONE was an honourable third in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham having won twice at this level earlier. He ran a fine race under a big weight in a Grade 3 handicap at Chepstow last month and that should have put him spot-on for this.
Fountains Windfall 11-1 (10-12) Made most, took keen hold, clear before 4 out, ran on strongly before last, won at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gd in Apr beating No Comment (10-12) by 8l, 22 ran.
Wholestone (IRE) 4-1fav (11-7) Chased leaders, led 2 out until approaching the last, every chance last, ridden and kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 18, 1 1/2l behind Court Minstrel (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gs in Oct.
Gayebury 3-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, led narrowly approaching next, kept on well under pressure, in command towards finish, won at Perth 3m lst (1) gd in Apr beating Robbin'hannon (11-6) by 3 3/4l, 5 ran.
Lil Rockerfeller (USA) 8-1 (11-10) Soon led, pressed and almost joined 3 out, headed after 2 out, dropped to 4th into straight, weakened, 10th of 12, 32 3/4l behind Unowhatimeanharry (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Missed Approach (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) In touch, led 19th, headed 3 out, ridden and no impression from next, 8th of 30, 18 3/4l behind Vicente (11-10) at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Ptit Zig (FR) (10-11) 8th of 10, 22 1/4l behind L'Ami Serge (10-11) at Auteuil 3m 1f Grp 1 hvy in Jun.
Colin's Sister 8-1 (11-7) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, lost place and slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden towards rear, no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace from before last, 5th of 7, 20 1/2l behind Augusta Kate (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
