always behind, ridden and beaten from 4 out
held up, ridden 4 out, plugged on one pace
tracked leader, headway to challenge from 4th, hit next and 4 out, ridden and soon weakened
held up, ridden 4 out, never on terms
led, ridden 2 out, soon headed and one pace
held up, chased leader approaching 4th, headway from 3 out to lead approaching last, ridden and driven clear flat
Paul Nicholls has a good record in this race (3 from last 5 winners) so Super Formen must go on anyone's shortlist, however Act Sirius is progressive and gets the nod ahead of La Vecchia Scuola. The selection comes here chasing the hat-trick and this progressive son of Grand Lodge is fancied to run a big race. He has proven himself on soft ground in his three starts over hurdles and with more improvement to come, he gets the nod. Mr Crystal has claims given his good second to La Vecchia Scuola however this ground is far from ideal and he hasn't been seen for over three months. La Vecchia Scuola has shown some fair form in decent races of late and must be respected today, but she drops markedly in trip and this will be a different test. Super Formen is unexposed after just two starts in this country, but this ex-French gelding still has plenty to prove now upped in class. An open race, with Act Sirius given the nomination.
Act Sirius (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division, hit 4th, ridden 3 out, stayed on strongly to lead last, driven out, won at Musselburgh 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (2) gs in Feb beating Los Nadis (11-8) by 2l, 8 ran.
Mr Crystal (FR) 10-3fav (11-12) In touch, led 3 out, clear approaching next, ridden and headed after last, no extra, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind La Vecchia Scuola (10-5) at Catterick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Currahee 14-1 (10-4) Prominent, effort 3 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on well, won at Ayr 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar beating The French Actor (11-0) by 13l, 12 ran.
Quick Will (FR) 11-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 3 out, led after last, pushed out, won at Kelso 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Los Nadis (11-2) by 5l, 13 ran.
Super Formen (FR) 5-2fav (10-0) Held up, headway 6th, ridden when hit 3 out, no impression approaching 2 out, 4th of 10, 19l behind Smoothly Does It (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Feb.
La Vecchia Scuola (IRE) 100-1 (10-3) Held up in last, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakening in 5th when mistake last, 5th of 13, 14l behind Pettifour (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gd.
Qulinton (FR) 6-4fav (10-2) Tracked leader, hit 1st, ridden to lead after 3 out, clear final furlong, ran on, won at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Mar beating Moncada Way (11-0) by 16l, 7 ran.
Rich Lord 7-2jt-fav (11-5) Held up, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 5th of 8, 13l behind Amazing King (10-10) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Feb.
