keen, soon prominent, led 3rd, headed when mistake 9th, led again next, headed when blundered badly 5 out, weakening when mistake 3 out
led after 1st, headed 3rd, led again 9th, headed next, led again 5 out, hard driven when challenged 2 out, kept on well under pressure
mid-division, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, lost place 5 out, behind when pulled up before last
mid-division, headway before 4 out, chased winner next, soon driven to challenge, kept on same pace approaching last
led until after 1st, tracked leaders, effort 3 out, never able to challenge
jumped slowly in rear, struggling halfway, detached 8th, pulled up 5 out
in touch, slow 10th, headway next, chased leaders 4 out, weakened before 2 out
always towards rear
Nonrunner
Useful hurdler Qualando is not overly big and didn’t really take to fences last season. Allee Bleue could be a bit hit-and-miss over hurdles but he was useful on his day and had a pipe-opener on the all-weather last month. Deauville Crystal won three times in her first season over hurdles and, being a four-year-old filly, gets all the allowances but TEMPLEROSS has always looked a chasing type and has his ground. He hasn’t raced since February but fitness is rarely an issue for one from his yard. Solstice Star may be best of the rest as Above Board may need this.
Allee Bleue (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on to lead close home, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Mere Anarchy (9-1) at Kempton 2m hcp (5) pol in Sep.
Aqua Dude (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Mid-division, outpaced before 4 out, never on terms, weakened from 2 out, tailed off, 11th of 13, dist behind Warriors Tale (11-2) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Gray Day (IRE) 5-4fav (11-6) Tracked leader, effort 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off, remote 3rd, 3rd of 5, dist behind Eaton Hill (11-6) at Stratford 2m 6f (4) gd in Apr.
King Golan (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, in 2nd when blundered badly and unseated rider 4 out, at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gs in Sep.
Qualando (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 2 out, went 2nd last, stayed on, tried to challenge winner but always just held, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Political Quiz (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Solstice Star 9-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led 7th, headed 3 out, every chance when hit 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 11, 25 1/4l behind Two Swallows (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Speronimo (FR) 250-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, chased leaders, weakened 6th, 7th of 15, dist behind Fly Camp (11-11) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) sft in Feb.
Templeross (IRE) 4-1fav (11-0) Led, narrowly headed 6th, stayed front rank, ridden and went 2nd after 3 out until between last 2, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 16, 5 1/4l behind Air Horse One (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Deauville Crystal (FR) 8-1 (10-8) In rear on outside, niggled along after 3rd, hit 4th, struggling to keep up from next, well beaten before 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Brillare Momento (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f lst (1) gd in Apr.
Above Board (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced after 3 out, soon beaten, pulled up before next, at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
