held up in touch, began to lose ground on front three before bypassed 3 out, stayed on same pace
held up in touch, mistake 4th and 5th, dropped to rear 3 out (usual 4 out) and began to struggle, weakened and pulled up 2 out
led, quickened clear before bypassed 3 out, still travelling powerfully when good jump 2 out, ridden before last but kept on well
tracked leader, ridden along and passed for second before bypassed 3 out, kept on at same pace
raced in third, went second and in pursuit of leader before bypassed 3 out, ran on well but not reach winner
NonRunner
No four-year-old has won this Grade 1 in 12 years, though not many have tried their luck recently. That has changed this season with three of the younger brigade taking on the same number of older rivals. Allmankind was a winner at the highest level over hurdles and jumped for fun when beating a subsequent winner on his chasing bow at Warwick. HITMAN was one of only two finishers at Ffos Las but would have won easily anyway had he not been left clear. He just lost concentration in the closing stages but that did give a glimpse of his potential. Ga Law and Eldorado Allen both won Grade 2 contests last time so can’t be ignored but Tamaroc Du Mathan and Phoenix Way will require further improvement to be competitive at this level.
Eldorado Allen (FR) 13-2 (11-2) Held up in touch on inside, went 2nd 3 out, 2 lengths off leader when hampered and left in clear lead 2 out, stayed on, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Nov beating Quel Destin (11-2) by 19l, 6 ran.
Phoenix Way (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, ridden flat, stayed on well, led close home, won at Warwick 2m (3) gs in Nov beating Stratagem (10-9) by nk, 3 ran.
Allmankind Evensfav (10-7) Jumped well, made all, came clear from 3 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Warwick 2m (3) gd in Nov beating Zanza (11-1) by 13l, 6 ran.
Ga Law (FR) 2-1 (10-7) Made all, came clear from 4 out, great jump last, unchallenged, won at Wincanton 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov beating Hurricane Harvey (11-2) by 22l, 3 ran.
Hitman (FR) 3-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, led approaching 4 out, clear when blundered 2 out, eased flat, won at Ffos Las 2m (3) sft in Nov beating Mack The Man (11-1) by 30l, 5 ran.
Tamaroc Du Mathan (FR) 5-4fav (11-5) Prominent, left close up 6th, led 4 out, pulled clear travelling strongly before 2 out, pushed out from last, cosily, won at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Golden Taipan (11-4) by 3 3/4l, 9 ran.
