prominent, led 2nd until after next, led 4th, hit 3 out, headed when not fluent next, one pace after
mid-division, ridden after 6th, headway after 3 out, weakened next
mid-division and headway after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
mid-division until 4th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
mid-division, short of room and lost place on bend after 3rd, reminder 6th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, led soon after last, no extra when headed towards finish
always behind
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, hit 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, led 2 out, ridden when not fluent last, soon headed, no extra
tracked leaders until outpaced approaching 3 out, headway to challenge 2 out, every chance flat, held near finish
in touch, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, faded approaching last
held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, stayed on from next, strong run from last, led near finish
always behind
led until until ginked left 2nd, led after 3rd, not fluent and headed next, weakened soon after 3 out
Several in the line-up come here in top form and we will plump for SPANISH CONQUEST ahead of the hat-trick seeking pair of Dantari and Tasheba. Phillip Hobbs' gelding has been a massive improver this season, and having started off in handicap company on a mark of 98 and he is now rated 116. He has been given a break since his last run and coming here a fresh horse will suit. Tasheba enters handicap company on a mark of 135 after a couple of wins, the most recent in a decent-looking Novice contest at Cheltenham. Seven Is My Number has become disappointing, as has Altihar of late but his trainer excels in these sort of races. Rear Gunner and French Opera have been holding their form fairly well, whilst Sangfroid fell early on last time and whilst he is still a maiden over hurdles he should break his duck soon. The progressive four-year-old Dantari is 2lb out of the weights but he was a very ready winner last time and is not to be underestimated. A tricky race for punters but it is Spanish Conquest who is nominated.
French Opera 14-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, lost place after 8th, rallied 3 out, no extra flat, 5th of 22, 11l behind Sunnyhillboy (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd.
Kawagino (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 3 out, kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 21, 13l behind Time For Rupert (10-10) at Aintree 3m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd.
Altilhar (USA) 14-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden 8th, weakened 3 out, blundered 2 out, 17th of 22, well behind Sunnyhillboy (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd.
Rear Gunner (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, hit 4th, ridden to lead 2 out, headed approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Kangaroo Court (11-4) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Distiller (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Held up, smooth headway when not fluent 3 out, shaken up to lead flat, pushed out, won at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd beating Mighty Massini (11-1) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Tasheba 9-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, led soon after 4th, clear after 2 out, shaken up flat, comfortably, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (2) gd beating Mountaineer (11-0) by 5l, 7 ran.
Seven Is My Number (IRE) 17-2 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, weakened before last, 10th of 12, 44l behind From Dawn To Dusk (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd.
Sendani (FR) 12-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, came wide for a short lived effort approaching 2 out, 7th of 12, 35l behind From Dawn To Dusk (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd.
Cockatoo (USA) 5-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, led last kept on, won at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating Armenian Boy (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Mister Benedictine 8-1 (11-5) Always in rear, struggling before 3 out, 9th of 10, 19l behind King's Head (11-2) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Sep.
Callisto Moon 13-2 (9-11) Chased leader until after 5th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, last of 6, 38l behind Hernando Royal (9-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gd in Mar.
Spanish Conquest 1-4fav (10-0) Chased leader, led bend approaching 5th, shaken up when clear 2 out, easily, won at Taunton 2m 1f nov hcp hdl (2) fm in Mar beating Postmaster (11-9) by 6l, 3 ran.
Sangfroid 11-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, hampered 2nd, upsides when fell 6th, in a race won by Snake Charmer (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gs in Mar, 15 ran.
Silent Wind (GER) 4-1 (10-11) Raced wide, held up in touch, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, behind well fell 3 out, in a race won by Midnight Chase (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb, 6 ran.
Dantari (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Led to 2nd, chased clear leader after, closed to lead 3 out, pecked next, headed briefly soon after last, driven and stayed on well to assert final 150 yards, won at Newbury 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar beating Rory Boy (11-12) by 2l, 7 ran.
