towards rear, wide into straight 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on strongly, not quite reach winner
mid-division, weakened over 3f out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden 3f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
dwelt, always in rear
in touch, tracked leaders 12f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up, ridden 3f out, no impression
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer
in touch, headway to track winner after 4f, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
made all, ridden over 1f out, just held on
close up, ridden and headway to chase winner over 1f out, one pace final furlong
always in rear
close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, pushed along 6f out, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, weakened over 2f out
always towards rear
in touch, ridden 3f out, not trouble leaders
in touch, pushed along over 3f out, weakened final furlong
Willie Mullins has saddled two of the last four winners and has a couple entered again this year. Pique Sous won the Queen Alexandra at this meeting two years ago but has only had one run since. Sempre Medici has been in good form over hurdles and arguably looks better treated. Charlie Appleby runs three and easy Goodwood winner Galizzi, only penalised 3lb, and Newmarket fourth Wolfcatcher, are interesting. No Heretic won the Chester Cup and trainer Nicky Henderson won this in 2011. Jumps yards have, in fact, had seven of the last nine winners and Dermot Weld's SILVER CONCORDE can carry off the spoils this time. Winner of the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in 2014, he's never really taken to hurdles but has developed into a smart stayer on the Flat and was finishing with a flourish in the Chester Cup when third. On 2lb better terms, he can reverse that form with the winner. Mill Springs was progressive in the autumn and could figure if she stays while Moscato has claims stepping up from 1m6f. Jennies Jewel won at the Curragh last month and has plenty of stamina so could also play a part if the ground turned soft.
Qewy (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Mid-division, lost place 6th, behind when brought down next, at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Hassle (IRE) 15-8 (11-2) Prominent, led 3 out, ridden and ran on, won at Fakenham 2m mdn (4) gd in May beating Princess Roania (10-9) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Silver Concorde 5-1 (9-3) Towards rear, switched right approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on, not reach leading pair, 3rd of 17, 1 1/4l behind No Heretic (8-13) at Chester 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in May.
Pique Sous (FR) 9-1 (10-0) Soon in rear, no impression from over 3f out, some headway but no danger over 1f out, 10th of 15, 13 1/4l behind Repeater (8-6) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp Yielding in May.
Sunblazer (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 26 1/2l behind Moonrise Landing (9-0) at Lingfield 2m stks (2) pol in Mar.
Mirsaale 5-2fav (9-8) With leader, led over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Sir Chauvelin (8-2) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp (3) sft in May.
No Heretic 11-1 (8-13) Keen close up 4f, steady to be in touch, headway and angled out 2f out, soon every chance, ridden to lead inside final furlong, driven and ran on, won at Chester 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in May beating Nakeeta (8-13) by shd, 17 ran.
Penglai Pavilion (USA) 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, behind from next, 12th of 14, 29 1/4l behind Altior (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Totalize 20-1 (9-1) Keen in rear, headway on inner entering final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 17, 3 1/4l behind No Heretic (8-13) at Chester 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in May.
Moscato 9-2 (9-7) Prominent, went 2nd over 14f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind My Reward (9-5) at Haydock 2m hcp (2) gs in May.
Montaly 9-1 (9-1) Held up in last pair, never involved, 9th of 11, 17 3/4l behind Kinema (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 6f hcp stks (2) gs in May.
Jennies Jewel (IRE) 7-4fav (9-1) Made all, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and 2 lengths clear over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Curragh 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in May beating Deor (9-1) by 3 3/4l, 11 ran.
Mill Springs 20-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, hung left and weakened 2f out, last of 7, 16 3/4l behind Journey (9-0) at Haydock 1m 4f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in May.
Le Maitre Chat (USA) 12-1 (8-13) Slow into stride held up, never near leaders, 10th of 17, 7l behind No Heretic (8-13) at Chester 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in May.
Saved By The Bell (IRE) 9-1 (9-6) Tracked winner over 1f, stayed handy, lost place over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 9 1/2l behind My Reward (9-5) at Haydock 2m hcp (2) gs in May.
Chartbreaker (FR) 7-2fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, lost place 2nd, headway after 7th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on approaching last, went 3rd flat, no chance with winner, 3rd of 14, 10 1/2l behind Cottersrock (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Sempre Medici (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Ran 5th, pushed along approaching straight and no impression before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 6, 9 1/4l behind Vroum Vroum Mag (11-5) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Eshtiaal (USA) 9-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, smooth headway to challenge 3 out, led narrowly after last, soon ridden, stayed on well towards finish, won at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in May beating Bop Along (10-4) by 2l, 9 ran.
Galizzi (USA) 4-1 (9-9) Tracked leader, clear with leader over 5f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, ran on, comfortable, won at Goodwood 2m hcp stks (3) gf in Jun beating Cotton Club (8-13) by 4l, 9 ran.
Wolfcatcher (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Desert Encounter (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 6f hcp (2) gf in May.
