chased leaders, ridden and close up approaching 2 out, weakened quickly between last 2
behind, no chance and under pressure when hit 3 out
held up towards rear, pushed along 3 out, ridden and headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, no impression before last, weakened flat
led at fast pace until headed 8th, weakened and eased when well beaten before 2 out
pressed leader, led narrowly 8th, where not fluent, ridden and headed well before 2 out, weakened quickly
in rear when hampered and rider lost irons, briefly 5th, soon tailed off
held up in rear, ridden and stayed on to chase leaders approaching 2 out, kept on flat, never going pace to reach leaders
chased leaders, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra approaching last, lost 3rd early flat
held up in mid-division, steady headway approaching 3 out, switched right and ridden to chase winner approaching last, carried right flat, kept on well towards finish, just held
behind, tailed off when blundered 3 out, pulled up and dismounted
behind, some headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, no impression
in touch, ridden outpaced and lost place 3 out, headway and staying on when hung left approaching last, went 3rd early flat, not pace of front pair
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, well behind before 3 out, tailed off
well placed behind leaders, effort 3 out, led going well soon after 2 out, driven and edged right flat, held on gamely under pressure all out
always behind, mistake 7th
in touch, ridden to lead narrowly on inside well before 2 out, headed soon after 2 out, weakened quickly
behind when mistake and unseated rider 5th
in touch, ridden 3 out, no impression when blundered next, weakened soon after
behind, hampered 5th, pushed along next, never in contention
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Our shortlisted three for this Grade 1 event are Mighty Man, Baracouda and Golden Cross, with the vote going to Mighty Man. This is one of the most-open races for the stayers crown in many a year. A starting point is the question, can the dual winner of the race, Baracouda, win the race again? Much as he is not going to be improving at 11 years of age, by the same token it would be folly to disregard his chance. Pulled up in this race last year, Crystal d'Ainay was fourth in 2004 and would have a good chance if getting back to his best, but maybe a better proposition is Mighty Man. Much as Fire Dragon, who is very much respected, looked to be a horse on an upward curve when beating him, Westender, Patriarch Express and No Refuge at Sandown last time, each of these horses is weighted to get their revenge today. Of them, Mighty Man was possibly a little unlucky-in-running, having been squeezed up as the field turned for home. Given the good health of his stable, he rates a big player today, hence his nomination as the selection, The more rain the better for My Way de Solzen, who has won a Grade 1 and 2 in his last two starts and is a classy performer, while Golden Cross, a classy two-mile hurdler who won at his first attempt at this trip last time, and Asian Maze, who may yet take her chance despite a Champion Hurdle entry on Tuesday, rate as a very strong Irish representation. It could be, though, that one of the contingent can keep them at bay, and best among them could be our selection, Mighty Man.
Ambobo (USA) (11-3) Prominent, led 4 out, ran on strongly, won at Marseille 2m 3f hdl in Feb beating Malhado Island (10-10) by 5l, 8 ran.
Attorney General (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Always behind, mistake 8th, struggling next, 10th of 12, 27l behind Fire Dragon (11-0) at Sandown 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb.
Baracouda (FR) 3-1 (11-8) Held up rear, shaken up and headway after 8th, ridden approaching last, closing on winner close home but held, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Inglis Drever (11-8) at Newbury 3m hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Nov.
Blue Canyon (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Held up, hit 9th, soon weakened, 5th of 6, well behind Royal Emperor (11-4) at Haydock 2m 7f hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Crystal d'Ainay (FR) 5-2fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, hampered 8th, weakened after next, 3rd of 6, 31l behind Royal Emperor (11-4) at Haydock 2m 7f hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Davenport Milenium (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Always behind, trailing before 3 out, tailed off, last of 12, well behind Fortmassini (9-6) at Navan 2m 4f lst hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Emotional Moment (IRE) 4-5fav (11-10) Made all, not fluent 5th, ridden clear after 3 out, slight mistake next, stayed on well, won at Gowran Park 3m hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Jan beating Strangely Brown (11-7) by 8l, 6 ran.
Fire Dragon (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Prominent, led 3rd and set steady pace, quickened 7th, joined 2 out, still narrow advantage last, driven clear, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb beating Mighty Man (11-4) by 2l, 12 ran.
Golden Cross (IRE) 8-15fav (11-12) Moderate 2nd, took closer order halfway, ridden after 3 out, challenged next, stayed on well after last to lead close home, won at Navan 2m 7f hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Feb beating Florida Coast (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Holy Orders (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Settled 3rd, 4th 5 out, ridden after 4 out, moderate 3rd after 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Golden Cross (11-12) at Navan 2m 7f hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Feb.
It's Just Harry 7-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, blundered badly 1st, took closer order after 3rd, driven and weakened 3 out, mistake 2 out, 8th of 10, 19l behind Manorson (10-9) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (A) gd in Nov.
Mighty Man (FR) 15-8fav (11-4) Held up, badly hampered before 2 out, staying on when hit 2 out, kept on strongly run-in to take 2nd final 50 yards, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Fire Dragon (11-0) at Sandown 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb.
Millenium Royal (FR) 16-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden when left close 2nd, soon after last, weakened flat, 2nd of 6, 19l behind Royal Emperor (11-4) at Haydock 2m 7f hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Mistanoora 28-1 (11-0) Led to 2nd, stayed pressing winner until weakened before 3 out, 9th of 12, 24l behind Fire Dragon (11-0) at Sandown 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb.
My Way de Solzen (FR) 10-11fav (11-11) Made all, quickened to go clear before 2 out, pushed along and kept along strongly flat, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb beating Dancing Bay (11-3) by 9l, 6 ran.
No Refuge (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Keen hold, held up in touch, chased leading pair from 3 out, blundered 2 out, soon weakened, not recover, 5th of 12, 7l behind Fire Dragon (11-0) at Sandown 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb.
Patriarch Express 11-4 (11-12) Tracked winner, ridden 2 out, close 2nd when stumbled and fell at the last in race won by Royal Emperor (11-4) at Haydock 2m 7f hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb, 6 ran.
Sh Boom 7-1 (11-4) Held up, headway and jumped right 8th, ridden after 9th, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 36l behind Royal Emperor (11-4) at Haydock 2m 7f hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Starzaan (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Keen hold, held up towards rear, ridden and hit 9th, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 12, 15l behind Fire Dragon (11-0) at Sandown 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb.
Westender (FR) 28-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, still well behind 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, chased leading pair soon after, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Fire Dragon (11-0) at Sandown 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb.
Royal Paradise (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching next, last of 5, 33l behind Solerina (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl Grd 1 hvy in Dec.
Asian Maze (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Close up when fell in race won by Brave Inca (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs, 18 ran.
