mid-division, mistake and lost place 10th, behind when blundered 18th, pulled up before next
tracked leader to 13th, in touch, lost place and struggling 4 out, weakened from next
prominent, tracked leader from 13th, led 3 out, soon ridden, 4 lengths clear after last, just held on near finish
mid-division, tracked leaders from 5th, went 2nd before 2 out, 2 lengths down when mistake and lost ground last, ridden and stayed on well flat, gaining near finish, just held
led, headed 3 out, outpaced by front pair before next, well held after
in rear, not fluent and reminder after 3rd, never travelled well after, lost touch when pulled up after 14th
behind, headway when hit 17th, went 4th 4 out, driven to chase leaders before next, soon ridden and outpaced, kept on from last, never on terms
mid-division, headway 17th, 4th when blundered and lost place 4 out, behind from next
NonRunner
Not beaten far when third in this last year, MINELLA ROCCO (NAP) went on to finish a terrific second in the Gold Cup here in March. He’ll be sharper for last month’s comeback at Punchestown and a repeat of his Gold Cup effort could see him better the likes of Three Faces West. The latter ended last season with a couple of facile victories but returns to action off a 12lb higher mark than when last winning a handicap. Doing Fine ran well for third over these fences three weeks ago and could also be in the mix despite racing from out of the handicap along with Premier Bond. The latter was placed in the Kim Muir here in March and has his first start since April as does Scottish Grand National winner Vicente. Shotgun Paddy was well beaten in last year’s renewal and hasn’t won since 2014.
Minella Rocco (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Raced in moderate 5th, jumped left and bumped rival 4th, closer in 4th 4 out, pushed along entering straight and no impression when slight mistake last, no extra, 4th of 7, 10 1/4l behind Road To Respect (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) sft in Oct.
Sizing Codelco (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leader until mistake 2nd, chased leaders, lost place 13th, pushed along behind and eased before next, pulled up 3 out, at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Perfect Candidate (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, reminders after 15th, driven and kept on under pressure until weakened before 2 out, 10th of 16, 26 3/4l behind Cogry (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Vicente (FR) 9-1jfav (11-10) Close up, went 2nd 3 out, challenged last, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to lead narrowly near finish, won at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr beating Cogry (10-9) by nk, 30 ran.
Three Faces West (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Jumped boldly, made all, clear before 4 out, slight peck next, stayed on strongly unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m 7f (2) gs in Dec beating Coologue (11-7) by 13l, 6 ran.
Premier Bond 11-1 (11-3) Never better than mid-division, behind and reminders after 10th, tailed off 15th, soon pulled up, at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Benbens (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Blundered 3rd, always towards, 7th of 16, 30 1/2l behind The Romford Pele (11-9) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Shotgun Paddy (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Mid-division on inside, lost place 13th, behind from next, soon pulled up, at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Doing Fine (IRE) 15-2 (10-9) Held up behind, headway after 4 out, ridden to chase leaders after next, one pace 2 out, stayed on to take 3rd flat, no impression, 3rd of 16, 5 3/4l behind Cogry (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
