led, jumped right, headed 4th, led next, headed 3 out, weakened after next
mid-division, took keen hold, not fluent 3rd, struggling from 3 out
tracked leaders on outside, not much room when not fluent 2nd, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened before last
in touch in mid-division, pushed along after 5th, lost place before 2 out
held up on outside, hit 4th, pushed along next, never in contention
held up towards rear, headway after 2 out, stayed on, never on terms with leaders
tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, led last, ran on well
tracked leader, carried right when not fluent 2nd, led 4th, headed next, led again 3 out, headed and mistake last, unable to quicken
tracke leaders, every chance when mistake 2 out, weakening in 6th when fell last
slipped leaving start and slowly away, held up in rear, headway after 3 out, mistake 2 out, never nearer
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, went 3rd last, stayed on
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
This is a really competitive contest for the time of year and several have strong claims. Sidney Melbourne has won his last two starts at Wincanton while Coffee came back to form at Market Rasen. Changing The Guard was brought down at Wetherby last time but had been in good form previously while Jolly Roger was in terrific heart at this time last year and has had a run on the Flat recently. Monte Cavallo and Australia Day are both recent winners over fences and the latter will ensure this is run at a fast pace which will suit CAPE EXPRESS. This is the eight-year-old's first run since November but he's gone well fresh in the past and McCoy's booking has to be a positive. He beat Sud Pacifique at Hereford a year ago.
Australia Day (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Made all, clear before 3 out, unchallenged, won at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gf in May beating Coole River (10-11) by 11l, 6 ran.
Changing The Guard 13-2 (11-5) In rear, brought down 2nd, in a race won by Knight In Purple (10-10) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in May, 8 ran.
Cape Express (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Raced wide towards rear, weakened well before 2 out, 11th of 15, 29l behind Raya Star (11-12) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Monte Cavallo (SAF) 11-8fav (10-12) With leaders, led 2nd, headed 7th, led 4 out, jumped right 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well from last, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov chs (4) gd in May beating Mulligan's Man (10-12) by 7l, 7 ran.
Laudatory 12-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway before 4 out, weakened 3 out, quickly pulled before 2 out, in a race won by Cry Of Freedom (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gf in May, 10 ran.
Sud Pacifique (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, headway before 2 out, went 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Knight In Purple (10-10) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in May.
Coffee (IRE) 4-1fav (11-8) Held up towards rear, smooth headway after 3 out, led 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May beating Crafty Roberto (11-7) by 2l, 10 ran.
Sidney Melbourne (USA) 2-5fav (11-5) Tracked leader, hit 2nd and clear with leader, led 2 out, hit next, ridden and challenged flat, asserted near finish, won at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in May beating Qoubilai (10-12) by 1l, 6 ran.
Screaming Brave 9-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, led after 3 out, kept on well from last, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jun '12 beating Warsaw Pact (10-7) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Sky Khan 7-4fav (10-5) Tracked leader, not much room after 4 out, challenged next, led 2 out, ridden and edged left towards far side rail flat, headed and no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Life And Soul (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd in May.
Teshali (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Held up in 5th, closed when hampered 3 out, bumped before 2 out, went 3rd last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Dark Energy (11-4) at Towcester 2m clm hdl (5) gd in May.
Jolly Roger (IRE) 9-4 (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, 4th of 5, 12l behind Romeo Americo (10-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Jun '12.
Rime Avec Gentil (FR) 2-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, hung badly left after, ridden after last, stayed on strongly to lead towards finish, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in May beating Gud Day (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
