close up, went 2nd 4f out, hung left under pressure 2f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, making steady headway when slightly hampered over 4f out, stayed on to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong
unruly and unseated rider at post, held up in rear, until moderate headway final 2f
took keen hold, chased leaders 10f, tailed off
behind, stayed on final 2f, never really in contention
prominent in chasing group, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon no chance
in touch, ridden 3f out, soon outpaced
behind, some headway into mid-division 5f out, soon no further impression
some headway 6f out, ridden 4f out, soon struggling
behind, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
prominent, ridden 5f out, soon lost place
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
made all, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well
took keen hold in touch for 10f, tailed off
chased leaders until weakened over 4f out
In a difficult finale featuring so much untapped talent, the vote goes to Quintessentially ahead of Jean Le Poisson, Edgeover, Pocket Aces and Helens Vision to name just a few. Two names stick out here by virtue of the fact that they have milked these type of events lately, and they are Nicky Henderson and Carl Llewellyn. The latter has perfected the knack of having them ready to do the business sooner rather than later, and that augurs well for the chance of Quintessentially who will find today's conditions and trip kinder than on his Plumpton debut when he had to play second fiddle to a Pipe debutant. He can make the most of the weight that he receives from the Henderson-trained French bred Jean Le Poisson, successful on this card last year. Subsequently well beaten at Ayr in the spring, he may be best watched today, although obviously he possesses ability. Of the rest, Edgeover makes some appeal after his fine third here at the start of the month. Jean Le Poisson's stablemate Procas De Thais was in front of him that day though, so the Henderson camp have a line to work on. Ex-pointer Pocket Aces is one for the future, but Helens Vision did nothing wrong when bolting up at Stratford, and may make her presence felt. Carl Llewellyn rode Joyryder to victory in this last year, and can guide the same owner's colours into the winner's enclosure again.
Jean Le Poisson (FR) 9-4 (11-6) Mid-division, smooth headway to track leaders 6f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 13, 19l behind Phardessa (10-6) at Ayr 2m nhf (4) gd in Apr.
Snap Tie (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway halfway, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 25l behind Cork All Star (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nhf lst (1) gs in Nov.
Arshan Beigh (IRE) Exit To Nowhere gelding, half-brother to hurdles and bumper winner Beyond The Pale.
Bolshoi Boy (IRE) Moscow Society gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Buddys Lookout (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden and headway 4f out, one pace, 9th of 14, 25l behind West Ridge (11-2) at Wincanton 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
By George (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Behind, some moderate headway over 3f out, never dangerous, 6th of 17, 34l behind Sound Accord (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Diamond Supreme (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Mandys Native.
Edgeover 9-2 (11-3) Held up, headway on far side over 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 21, 2 1/2l behind Diamond Harry (10-9) at Newbury 2m nhf (2) sft.
Francis Dunstan (IRE) Shernazar gelding, half-brother to winning jumper Behavingbadly.
Hondalia (IRE) City Honours gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Nom de Guerre (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, stayed on final 2f, 3rd of 15, 13l behind Forest Pennant (11-4) at Kempton 2m nhf (6) gs in Feb.
Overtly Blue (FR) Epervier Bleu gelding, half-brother to French Flat and chase winner Hache Paille.
Pocket Aces (IRE) (11-7) 2nd of 13, 5l behind Templars (11-7) at Butlerstown 3m ire ptp gf in Apr.
Quintessentially (IRE) 7-4 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 4f out, headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Choumakeur (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) hvy in Feb.
Randolf (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) In touch, chased winner halfway, ridden and no impression final 3f, 2nd of 7, 23l behind Starting Point (11-1) at Newcastle 2m nhf (6) hvy.
The Big Orse Benny The Dip gelding, half-brother to the classy Collier Hill.
Willow Hall Saddlers' Hall gelding out of winning chaser Willow Gale.
Butterfly Rose 11-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, steady headway 5f out, ridden to chased leaders 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 16, 10l behind Gun Smith (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nhf (6) gd in Jan.
Helens Vision 11-4 (9-12) Made all, drew clear final 2f, easily, won at Stratford 2m nhf (5) gs in Feb beating Desert Inferno (11-4) by 17l, 16 ran.
Karinga Magic Karinga Bay gelding, half-brother to winning jumper Private Be.
Team Secret Teamster mare, sister to winning chaser Team Captain.
Fillyofthevalley Wizard King filly, half-sister to bumper winners Lady Bling Bling and Stripe me Blue.
