led, blundered 2 out, ridden last, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish
mid-division, driven to chase leaders approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression
tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened next
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader throughout, ridden last, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, every chance from next, no extra flat
raced keenly in mid-division, headway 6th, 8th and no impression when fell 2 out
mid-division, reminders 6th, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, no impression from next
raced keenly, held up, always towards rear
in touch, ridden and outpaced 3 out, soon beaten
behind, headway 4 out, kept on same pace, never near leaders
This looks a straightforward opportunity for Shouldhavehadthat who is preferred to Halfway Cut and Olmeto Collonges. The selection failed to do himself justice on his debut over hurdles having shown plenty of promise in bumpers, but he left that running behind him last time when scoring impressively to beat Scotland Yard. There should be more to come and in this moderate contest he should prove too strong for his rivals. Halfway Cut has got some fair form in Ireland and he will be suited by this faster ground having travelled well before being bogged down by the conditions last time out. Olmeto Collonges showed some promise at Lingfield last time but being a half-brother to Neptune Collonges he looks the type who will fare better when he goes chasing. Just Intersky is an interesting newcomer from a top yard and if he has ability then Tony McCoy will give him maximum assistance from the saddle. However, Shouldhavehadthat sets a fair benchmark for the rest here and should take plenty of beating.
Shouldhavehadthat (IRE) 7-4fav (11-2) Close up, went 2nd 3 out, led next, comfortably, won at Ascot 2m 3f mdn hdl (3) gd in Mar beating Scotland Yard (10-8) by 5l, 15 ran.
Flying Pass 5-1 (10-5) Pulled hard, prominent, lost place 4th, behind when jumped left 3 out, 5th of 10, 15l behind Jazz Scene (10-7) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Halfway Cut 11-4 (11-7) In touch, 7th travelling well 4f out, improved into 4th early straight, ridden and no impression from over 2f out, 5th of 18, 17l behind Rinroe (11-10) at Naas 2m nhf hvy in Jan.
Olmeto Collonges (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Hampered 4th, held up, plugged along at one pace from 3 out, no impression when mistake next, 5th of 14, 26l behind Nightfly (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Regis Rex Mistertopogigo gelding, half-brother to several winners from 5f-1m4f.
Royale Rag (FR) Garde Royale gelding out of winning hurdler Scarlet Rag.
Caught In Time (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Soon well behind, 15th of 16, well behind Soprano (11-2) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gf.
Mission Man 50-1 (11-2) In rear, ridden and headway 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 18, 31l behind Valiant Shadow (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
