tracked leader, not fluent 13th or 15th, challenging when mistake last, nearly 2 lengths to make up flat, rallied and stayed on well towards finish, led close home
last pair, awkward 12th, mistake 15th, not fluent 17th, hit next, effort 3 out, hit 2 out, soon weakened
last pair, closed to dispute 2nd from 10th, outpaced in 3rd before last, well held flat
led, not fluent 14th, ridden before 2 out, stayed on, headed close home
Nicky Henderson won this last year with Might Bite and TERREFORT can give the champion trainer back-to-back victories. Beaten only once in four starts for the yard last season, the grey handled the step up 3m with aplomb in the Mildmay at Aintree in April and should win plenty more races. Thomas Patrick made giant strides last term with his only defeat over fences coming when he failed to stay 3m6f at Exeter in February. He has a bit to find at the weights but is a sound jumper, though his target is probably the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury. Elegant Escape was very consistent in his first season over the larger obstacles while Coo Star Sivola has some useful form to his name though is not easy to catch right.
Elegant Escape (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, mistake 14th, led after 4 out, headed next, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, well held in clear 3rd before last, 3rd of 9, 12 3/4l behind Terrefort (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Apr.
Terrefort (FR) 3-1fav (11-4) Held up in touch, went 3rd at 12th, hit 3 out, challenged after next, ridden to lead before last, asserted clear final 110 yards, won at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Apr beating Ms Parfois (10-11) by 3 3/4l, 9 ran.
Coo Star Sivola (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 13th, weakened 4 out, 8th of 12, 32 1/4l behind The Young Master (10-6) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Thomas Patrick (IRE) 3-1fav (10-10) Made all, ridden and clear before last, kept on well, won at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Apr beating On Tour (10-8) by 4l, 16 ran.
