tracked leader, lost place before 3 out, soon outpaced and behind, weakened after next
tracked leader, pushed along in 3rd after 3 out, rallied last, ridden and stayed on to press winner closing stages, just held
held up mid-division, tracked leaders 4th, driven after 2 out, one pace last, ridden and kept on flat, always held
led, mistake and headed narrowly 2 out, ridden after last, no extra and lost place flat
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
held up in last pair, driven and outpaced before 2 out, never on terms, weakened before last
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
held up in last pair, outpaced 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off
Braid Blue improved when stepped up to 3m in the summer so may get tapped for speed in this. Bialco was beaten out of sight at Perth when last seen and No Hidden Charges has only been beating modest opposition in rattling up a hat-trick. DOCTOR DUFFY quickened away from previous winners Lethal Steps and Black Tears at Navan last month. He’s developed into a useful novice and is the form pick in this, though Champagne Well could be a danger getting 8lb as he wasn’t beaten far in a Grade 3 handicap at Sandown in March and then only weakened approaching the last in the Grade 1 Sefton at Aintree – he looks certain to win races this season.
Bialco (FR) 4-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, mistake 2nd, hit 6th, blundered and lost place next, tailed off 3 out, rallied after last, stayed on into remote 2nd towards finish, no chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 4, 33l behind Borice (11-4) at Perth 2m 4f (4) gs in Jul.
Braid Blue (IRE) 5-4 (12-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 2 out, led 2 out, in command when jumped right last, kept on well, won at Perth 3m (4) gd in Jul beating Indian Temple (10-12) by 11l, 4 ran.
Doctor Duffy (IRE) 9-4fav (11-6) Held up in touch towards rear, closer in 5th at 9th, improved to lead entering straight, travelling well after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 2m 6f gd in Sep beating Lethal Steps (11-1) by 4l, 8 ran.
No Hidden Charges (IRE) 1-8fav (11-12) Set steady pace, clear last, easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f (4) gf in Jul beating Iona Lad (10-11) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
Champagne Well (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Soon tracking leaders, mistake 3rd, lost place before 5th, switched right and closed before 3 out, pressing leaders 2 out, 5th and beaten last, weakened flat, 6th of 12, 19 3/4l behind Champ (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Apr.
Guy (IRE) 10-3 (10-9) Towards rear, headway over 5f out, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Big Bad Bear (11-0) at Perth 2m (4) gs in Apr.
L'Air Du Vent (FR) 10-11fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, quickened clear, impressive, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (5) gd in Apr beating Poniente (10-11) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Megaudais Speed (FR) 100-1 (11-2) Off the pace in mid-division, pushed along and outpaced in 6th after 4 out, left modest 4th 3 out, hung left and weakened after 2 out, 5th of 10, 8 1/2l behind Dostal Phil (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Mar.
