chased leaders, closed 7th, went right and dived at 10th, 2 lengths 2nd when not fluent last, well held by winner flat
prominent on inside, shaken up final bend, 4th and no extra last, weakened flat
held up towards rear, slow 10th, headway 2 out, weakened final bend, well held 5th last, went 4th flat
mid-division, not fluent 7th, closed next, went 3rd before last, no impression
made all, jumped right 2nd, drew clear from last, stayed on well
prominent until 2nd, chased leaders, not fluent and lost place 4th, closed from 9th, disputing 5 lengths 6th when fell 2 out
chased leaders, pecked and lost place 2nd, not fluent 4th, mistake and weakened 2 out, pulled up before last
not fluent towards rear, mistake 3rd, well beaten from 3 out, pulled up before last
slowly into stride, in rear, blundered 2nd, effort from 4 out, mistake 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened, well behind when virtually fell last, tailed off
mid-division, slow 7th, headway 8th, struggling after 2 out, well beaten 6th last
prominent on outside, mistake 2nd, not fluent and lost place 9th, behind when pulled up before 11th
held up in rear, headway 3 out, struggling after 2 out, well beaten 7th last, no impression
This is a competitive opener and features runners from the powerful southern yards of Nicky Henderson and Philip Hobbs. The former saddles the lightly-raced El Kaldoun while the latter runs Victarion, who would have gone close at Stratford in August had he not blundered away his chance on the final circuit. Glorious Lady has won a point, a bumper and three hurdle races and conditions will suit The Delray Munky. Kauto D'Amour and Scottish Accent could also play a part but, boasting plenty of experience between the flags, THE FERRY MASTER is fancied to make a winning start over fences if fully wound-up.
The Ferry Master (IRE) 5-4jfav (11-2) Led, hit 6th, driven when pressed 2 out, headed approaching last, rallying and every chance when carried right throughout run in, just failed (awarded race), 2nd of 3, at Carlisle 2m 3f mdn (3) hvy in Mar.
Glorious Lady (IRE) 11-10fav (11-7) Jumped slowly 1st, always prominent, mistake and reminder 5th, challenged and led 2 out, clear last, kept on well run-in, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f (4) sft in Feb beating Six One Nine (11-2) by 3 3/4l, 12 ran.
The Delray Munky 7-1 (11-0) Led, headed after 3 out, ridden before next, kept on under pressure before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Milvale (10-11) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Victarion (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Raced widest, held up tracking leaders, not fluent 3rd, challenging for 2nd when bad mistake 4 out, not recover, pulled up after 2 out, at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Aug.
El Kaldoun (FR) 8-1 (12-0) Never travelled, always towards rear, flattened 5th, never a factor, 10th of 16, 25 3/4l behind Imperial Elysian (11-8) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Western Aussie (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Prominent, led after 2nd, headed after next, led before 4th, not fluent 7th, soon headed, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Escaria Ten (11-4) at Ayr 3m (4) hvy in Jan.
Hills Of Connemara (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) Led until 1st, tracked leader until 4th, went 2nd again after 6th, led next, headed 2 out, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 8, 9l behind High Jinx (11-0) at Kelso 2m 5f (4) gd in May.
Toi Storey (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Held up last of all, jumped right 6th, driven and effort 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 10, dist behind Chanceanotherfive (11-3) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Kauto D'Amour (FR) 7-4fav (10-12) Raced keenly in 3rd, 2nd 4 out, blundered and saddle slipped next, ridden and no impression between last 2, trying to close when blundered badly last, recovered but no chance to challenge, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Overcourt (11-7) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Bluefortytwo 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, every chance 2 out, led before last, hard ridden flat, all out, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Mar beating Henri Le Bon (11-11) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Whateva Next (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Mid-division, closed 3rd, went 2nd from 4 out, mistake 2 out and last, led narrowly off final bend, stayed on, headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Speedy Cargo (11-8) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Scottish Accent (IRE) 11-4 (11-1) Raced wide, held up 4th, lost place slightly 8th, rallied 4 out, 2nd 3 out, ridden to lead and hit last, hung left and no extra run-in, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Bryden Boy (11-11) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
