in touch, headway to lead narrowly 2 out, ridden after last, stayed on well to assert clear final 150 yards
held up on outside, headway after 3 out (usual 4 out), driven to chase leaders after next, soon ridden, went 2nd and kept on after last, no impression with winner final 150 yards
tracked leaders, lost place when blundered 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, not fluent 6th, driven and lost place after 2 out, soon beaten, weakened last
always prominent on outside, challenged after 2 out, every chance last, soon ridden, one pace and no impression in 3rd flat
tracked leaders, lost place after 3 out (usual 4 out), weakened 2 out
held up on inside, not fluent 3 out (usual 4 out), chased leaders next, soon outpaced and ridden, weakened before last
led, headed narrowly 2 out, ridden turning in, kept on same pace, no impression flat
L'Air Du Vent has a decent chance of reversing course and distance running with Champagne Well on better terms but may find THYME HILL a tough nut to crack. Third in the Champion Bumper here in March, Philip Hobbs’ novice won the Grade 2 Persian War on his hurdling debut at Chepstow when the more-experienced Some Day Soon finished third. This is no straightforward task under a 5lb penalty but further improvement can almost be guaranteed and he looks a smart prospect. I K Brunel pulled clear of a well-regarded sort at Fontwell and Dancing On My Own easily landed the odds at Wexford but this looks a tough task for Born By The Sea and Happygolucky.
Thyme Hill 9-4fav (11-0) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, soon chased front pair, stayed on to challenge last, ridden to lead flat, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 2m 3f (1) gs in Oct beating Fiddlerontheroof (11-0) by 2l, 9 ran.
Champagne Well (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Held up in touch on outside, headway into 2nd before 3 out, led narrowly next, came towards stands side rail before last, ridden flat, held on well near finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) gs in Oct beating Braid Blue (11-6) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Born By The Sea (IRE) 9-2 (9-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd 2 1/2f out, soon pushed along, ridden to dispute lead 1f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, narrowly headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 11, hd behind Tidal Action (9-0) at Navan 1m 5f mdn Yielding in Oct.
Dancing On My Own (IRE) 8-13fav (11-4) Led and disputed, in front and travelling smoothly from 3 out, went on from before straight, quickly asserted and stayed on well, very easily, won at Wexford 2m 1f mdn hvy in Oct beating Notice To Close (11-4) by 28l, 9 ran.
Happygolucky (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, led on long run before last, soon clear, won at Stratford 2m 6f mdn (4) sft in Oct beating Mercy Mercy Me (11-6) by 11l, 8 ran.
I K Brunel 13-8 (11-2) Tracked leader after 2nd, clear of rest 4 out, led 2 out, ridden clear flat, stayed on well, won at Fontwell 2m 3f mdn (5) sft in Oct beating Eden Du Houx (11-2) by 6l, 14 ran.
L'Air Du Vent (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, soon tracked leaders, ridden and effort before last, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Champagne Well (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) gs in Oct.
Some Day Soon (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, went 3rd before last, kept on, not reach front pair, 3rd of 9, 4 1/4l behind Thyme Hill (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f (1) gs in Oct.
