tracked leaders in 3rd, lost place after 13th, soon outpaced, rallied 4 out, effort to press easy winner 2 out, soon ridden, no chance from last
held up in 4th, mistake 3rd, headway to dispute 2nd after 13th, lost place after 4 out, soon weakened
tracked winner, ridden after 4 out, lost place 2 out, soon no chance with front pair
made all, pressed 2 out, drew clear on bit after last, very easily
held up in rear, outpaced 4 out, went right 2 out, no chance with leaders
All eyes here will be on THISTLECRACK as Colin Tizzard's stable star makes his long-awaited debut over the larger obstacles. Last season's leading staying hurdler, the eight-year-old will surely take high order among this season's novice chase ranks if taking to fences and is already been talked of as a possible Gold Cup contender. Aqalim had a rear view of the selection three times last term over timber but stayed on late on his fencing bow at Bangor and should improve. Saddlers Encore won a Grade 3 over hurdles last season and should make a chaser but Neil Mulholland's pair Shaky Gift and Coole Charmer are best watched after a break.
Aqalim 7-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 1st and 2nd, often niggled along to keep up and not always fluent, closing when not much room after 3 out, 2nd from next, no impression on winner, 2nd of 4, 15l behind Rolling Maul (11-0) at Bangor 3m (4) gd in Sep.
Coole Charmer (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten, weakening when mistake next, 6th of 10, dist behind Hell's Kitchen (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f (4) sft in Mar.
Saddlers Encore (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Held up behind, pushed along and outpaced from 6 out, tailed off before 3 out, pulled up before last, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Thistlecrack 2-7fav (11-7) Made all, set slow gallop, quickened before 9th, asserting when not fluent 2 out, soon drew well clear, impressive, won at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Apr beating Shaneshill (11-7) by 7l, 6 ran.
Shaky Gift (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Held up behind, headway after 4 out, went 2nd after next, ridden between last 2, switched left and upsides last, soon led, held on flat, won at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Bonnet's Vino (11-5) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
