not always fluent, held up, effort approaching 4 out, weakened approching 2 out
led, outjumped by winner and headed 3 out, jumped left 2 out, weakened last
chased leaders, mistake 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, hung left and weakened approaching last
mistakes, held up, headway 7th, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, rallied approaching 2 out, chased winner between last 2, stayed on, no impression
chased leader until 5th, blundered 6th and 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when blundered 2 out
raced keenly, tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, led 3 out, ridden approaching last, ran on well flat
In a very good race, Don't Push It is selected ahead of Fair Along and Faasel. Fair Along was sent off as favourite for the Arkle two runs ago and, despite not travelling well in the race, still finished second, which was a fine effort, so he rates as a major player today. Jack The Giant was third there, Faasel was fourth, Buena Vista sixth and Lennon seventh. The first two of that trio look to be major players today. Don't Push It fell in the Arkle but had earlier proven himself a high-class novice and rates as a major player today also. Killaghy Castle comes here on the back of a good Sandown win, although Fair Along had earlier beaten him at Newbury, while Royal Shakespeare, who was a high-class hurdler, has done well over fences and is not without a chance on going that he will like. Finally, Twist Magic, who was another Arkle faller, had earlier been beaten a length and a quarter by Jack The Giant at Kempton and, being three pounds better off at the weights, is no forlorn hope today. It all adds up to a smashing race for this Grade 1 chase, with the selection being Don't Push It.
Don't Push It (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) In touch, hit 7th, disputing 1 length 3rd when fell 2 out fell in race won by My Way de Solzen (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (1) sft in Mar, 13 ran.
Lennon (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, mistake 1st, went 2nd briefly 4th, hit 5th and 7th, joined leader 8th, wandered and losing place when not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 36l behind My Way de Solzen (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (1) sft in.
Royal Shakespeare (FR) 10-11fav (11-10) Chased winner, not fluent 7th, ridden and lost 2nd approaching 3 out, plugged on under pressure to regain 2nd run-in, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Lord Henry (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f nov chs (3) gd in Mar.
Fair Along (GER) 3-1fav (10-7) Soon chasing leaders, ridden after 3 out, hit next, soon beaten and eased, 25th of 28, 37l behind Pedrobob (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Jack The Giant (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Led, hit 5th, headed briefly 6th, ridden and headed when went left last, no impression, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 13, 6l behind My Way de Solzen (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (1) sft in Mar.
Twist Magic (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, disputing 1 length 3rd when fell 2 out fell in race won by My Way de Solzen (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (1) sft in Mar, 13 ran.
