tracked leaders, led on bit 3 out, hard ridden after last, no extra when caught close home
held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, kept on flat
held up, headway to join leaders 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
held up, ridden after 4th, weakened 3 out
led until 3 out, rallied gamely under pressure, strong run after last, led close home
chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on from 2 out
chased leaders until weakened after 4th
Nonrunner
The shortlist contains Magot de Grugy, Mambo, Irish Wolf and Idian Mix, with the vote going to Magot de Grugy. Magot de Grugy comes here on a roll, having rattled up a three-timer. Judged on his Leicester win, there is still more to come, and we will take that view here and give him the nod. Nicky Henderson's Mambo could be on a reasonable mark if returning fit and well, while Idiome has dropped to a more reasonable hurdling mark but lacks a recent run. Irish Wolf is theoretically four pounds well-in today following a narrow Huntingdon defeat, and he is very much respected, while Martin Pipe's Idian Mix has solid Auteuil form, but the cloud over the stable tempers confidence, although yesterday may have suggested things are improving. Gods Token hails from an in-form yard and, lightly raced, is open to improvement, as is Charlton Kings, although we prefer the former to the latter. Finally, Bonny Grey has shown enough to be given some thought but, for the selection, we will stick with Magot de Grugy.
Magot de Grugy (FR) 6-4fav (10-13) Led to approaching 4th, led again 5th, clear last, pushed out, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) hvy beating Petwick (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Idiome (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 20l behind Mr Dinglawi (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Mar.
Irish Wolf (FR) 9-2 (10-11) In touch, ridden 3 out, effort and every chance flat, no extra close home, 2nd of 12, shd behind Hernando's Boy (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd.
Idian Mix (FR) (10-10) Held up, improved to lead 2 out, stayed on well, won at Auteuil 2m 3f clm hdl in Nov beating Tevere (10-8) by 6l, 16 ran.
Gods Token 6-4fav (11-9) In touch, headway approaching 5th, ridden to lead briefly after 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 16, 16l behind Dad's Elect (11-9) at Southwell 2m 1f hdl (E) gd in May '04.
Charlton Kings (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 12l behind The Local (11-4) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs.
Bonny Grey 9-2 (11-5) Prominent early, stayed in touch, hit 3rd, weakened 3 out, 9th of 10, 26l behind Dolzago (11-3) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Nov.
Hunting Lodge (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) In touch, lost place 5th, soon ridden and stayed on from 3 out but always held by winner, 2nd of 16, 1l behind Twist Bookie (11-1) at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (F) gs.
Xila Fontenailles (FR) 100-1 (9-12) Prominent, ridden after 5th, kept on same pace from 2 out, 5th of 17, 8l behind Sea The Light (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gs in Nov.
Mambo (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened and pulled up at the last in race won by Brooklyn Breeze (11-8) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (B) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
