held up in 5th, bumped at 2nd, slightly bumped at 5th, ridden and no impression from 3 out, soon trailing
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 2 out, soon improved to lead, ridden and joined entering straight, headed and dropped to 3rd at last, no extra run-in
led, bad mistake 4 out, joined before next, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, moderate 5th and eased before last
held up in rear, headway into close 3rd 2 out, pushed along and disputed lead entering straight, ridden to lead before last, strongly pressed and headed narrowly inside final furlong, rallied to regain lead close home
tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead before 3 out, led 2 out, soon ridden and headed, dropped to 3rd entering straight, went 2nd again at last, led narrowly inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home
tracked leaders in 4th, jumped left throughout, ridden in 5th on outer from 2 out, moderate 4th entering straight, no impression
YORKHILL continues on his merry way remaining unbeaten under Rules after victories at the very highest level at Cheltenham and Aintree. Both were over longer trips but his success in the Tolworth at Sandown proved the minimum holds no terrors and another Grade 1 victory looks his for the taking. Nicky Henderson trains the runner-up at Sandown so his decision to send the lightly-raced Brain Power is intriguing though his overall form cannot compare to that of his main rivals who include Willie Mullins' second string Petit Mouchoir. He faded from the last in the Supreme Novices' but did much better at Aintree when chasing home Henderon's Buveur D'Air, with Ball D'arc well beaten, and this track and trip will suit. Don't Touch It was a very disappointing favourite behind Ball D'arc at Naas in February but Kim Bailey sends Charbel, who easily beat Brain Power at Musselburgh before attempting to make all in the Supreme at Cheltenham where he only faded on the run-in. This sharper track will be much more to his liking and he can go well.
Ball D'Arc (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Held up in last, headway on outside to track leaders 3 out, ridden and no impression next, soon edged left, well held when not fluent last, 7th of 11, 12 1/2l behind Buveur D'air (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) gs in Apr.
Brain Power (IRE) 2-5fav (11-6) Chased leaders, 2nd on long run before 2 out, challenged and hit 2 out, riddden to lead before last, kept on well flat, won at Kempton 2m (4) gd in Mar beating Imperial Presence (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Charbel (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Led, ridden and headed between last 2, one pace before last, well held after, 5th of 14, 12 1/2l behind Altior (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Don't Touch It (IRE) 13-8fav (11-4) Soon raced in 6th, not fluent 2nd and 3rd, tight for room before straight, soon closed up travelling smoothly, challenging when hit 2 out and on terms, dropped to 3rd from before last where slight mistake, no extra run-in, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Ball D'arc (11-3) at Naas 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Petit Mouchoir (FR) 40-1 (11-4) Pressed leader, led 4 out, ridden and strongly pressed approaching last, stayed on, headed towards finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Buveur D'air (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) gs in Apr.
Yorkhill (IRE) 3-10fav (11-4) Held up in rear, started pulling hard from 2nd and made headway to track leaders before next, not fluent 6th, led before 7th, not fluent 2 out, ridden and pressed briefly flat, pulled out extra and went away towards finish, won at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr beating Le Prezien (11-4) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
