Racecards
13:50 Haydock Park
Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f 127y
- Going: Soft (Good to Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £50,000 added
- Winner: £26,015
- 2nd: £11,960
- 3rd: £5,980
- 4th: £2,990
- Form 3/21313-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 156
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Mr P W Mullins
led, headed after 8th, pushed along 4 out, hit 2 out, no impression on winner, kept on
Scipion (IRE)
167- Form 41P2-54
- Age 7
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 129
- Trainer W Coltherd
- Jockey Sam Coltherd
led until 1st, chased leaders, slow 3rd, not fluent 4th, slow and last 5th, outpaced 12th, well beaten before 4 out
- Form 2111F-3
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer D Skelton
- Jockey Harry Skelton
chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, led after 8th, clear before 4 out, easily
- Form 3416-4U
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 122
- Trainer B Ellison
- Jockey Henry Brooke
held up in rear, mistake 7th, not fluent 9th, 4th and no impression on winner from 4 out, kept on
Apple Away (IRE)
225- Form 632111-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 141
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey D R Fox
chased leader until 5th, slow 9th, pushed along after 13th, no impression on winner from 4 out, kept on
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
GAILLARD DU MESNIL was last seen finishing third in the Grand National so this represents a dramatic drop in trip. He previously scored at the Cheltenham Festival over 3m6f, but his profile reveals he is more than capable at lesser trips, as evinced by a series of competitive efforts in Grade 1 company over distances between 2m4f and 3m. He sets a strong standard and Willie Mullins will surely have him ready for this British raid. He must give away plenty of weight though to some useful sorts, such as Grey Dawning who receives 11lb and who will be far straighter for his Exeter reappearance. However, Apple Away is possibly an even more dangerous threat after completing her hat-trick last season in Grade 1 company at Aintree and receives a very healthy 18lb from the selection on chasing bow.
Formwatch
Gaillard Du Mesnil (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Off the pace towards rear, good headway on inside chasing leaders and switched left approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in, went 3rd at the elbow, nearest finish, 3rd of 39, 7l behind Corach Rambler (10-5) at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Scipion (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Chased leader, pushed along and weakened approaching 4 out, 4th of 8, 21l behind Ballykeel (10-9) at Perth 3m hcp (2) gs in Jun.
Grey Dawning (IRE) 85-40 (11-2) Raced wide, held up in 5th, left disputing 3rd at 10th, went 2nd 3 out, every chance last, weakened into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Stay Away Fay (11-2) at Exeter 3m (2) gs in Nov.
Hardy Bloke (FR) 11-4fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, slow 1st and 2nd, 2nd halfway, mistake 6 out, pushed along entering straight, challenged before 2 out, ridden in 2nd after 2 out, no impression when mistake and unseated rider last, at Wexford 3m 1f hcp Yielding in May.
Apple Away (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Disputed lead, not fluent 2nd, led outright before 8th, 2 lengths ahead 3 out, soon ridden, 1 length ahead 2 out, maintained advantage approaching last, stayed on gamely run-in, won at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Apr beating Maximilian (11-8) by 1 3/4l, 15 ran.