held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, ridden and kept on run-in
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, ridden to chase winner run-in until lost 2nd place near finish
disputed lead, headed before bypassed 3 out, no extra from last
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, ridden run-in, kept on
in rear, headway before 2 out, ridden before last, one pace
disputed lead, led before bypassed 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened before last
held up mid-division, pushed along before 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden before last, no extra run-in
held up towards rear, weakened from 2 out
held up mid-division, weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway before bypassed 3 out, led before 2 out, hit last, held on well
tracked leaders, ridden before last, no extra run-in
held up mid-division, ran on strongly from last, went 2nd place last 10 yards, nearest at finish
Ifandbutwhynot was third in this last year when 2lb higher but needs to improve on recent efforts if he is to do better. Several of these met in last month's County Hurdle at Cheltenham with Sternrubin doing best, finishing third after being prominent throughout. But IVAN GROZNY made late headway and then won at Aintree, for which he collected a penalty. Soft going clearly makes all the difference for Willie Mullins' charge, who can beat stablemate and recent Fairyhouse winner Clondaw Warrior off level weights and follow up. Zamdy Man, John Constable and Some Plan all look held on the form book while Shrewd, Cloudy Dream and Always Resolute all step up in class. The four-year-old Connetable faces a stiff task but Zaidiyn arrives in form and Ch'tibello could reverse Newbury running with Sternrubin and John Constable on better terms.
Ivan Grozny (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, led before last, kept on strongly, won at Aintree 2m hcp (2) sft in Apr beating Automated (10-13) by 8l, 17 ran.
Clondaw Warrior (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Held up towards rear, progress in 9th entering straight, 6th 2 out, ridden to lead last, kept on strongly run-in, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Yielding in Mar beating The Plan Man (10-8) by 3l, 15 ran.
Zamdy Man 66-1 (11-10) Took keen hold, led to after 1st, tracked front pair, not fluent 3rd, ridden and lost place after last (usual 2 out), soon weakened, 18th of 26, 24 3/4l behind Superb Story (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Some Plan (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden after last (usual 2 out), never near leaders, 16th of 26, 19 1/4l behind Superb Story (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Zaidiyn (FR) 11-2 (11-7) Held up behind in touch, smooth headway on inside before 2 out, led on bit after last, soon clear, easily, won at Newcastle 2m hcp (2) gs in Feb beating Bobs Lady Tamure (10-10) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Sternrubin (GER) 33-1 (11-2) Pressed leader, led narrowly before last (usual 2 out), ridden and headed approaching omitted last,soon no impression with front pair, held on under pressure for 3rd flat, 3rd of 26, 6l behind Superb Story (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Connetable (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, lost place when ridden after next, weakened last, 11th of 15, 24l behind Ivanovich Gorbatov (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gd in Mar.
John Constable (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Towards rear, outpaced from last (usual 2 out), 17th of 26, 23 1/4l behind Superb Story (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Shrewd 3-1 (9-12) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd over 3f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, readily, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (4) pol in Mar beating Heart Locket (8-8) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ifandbutwhynot (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Held up in 4th, smooth headway to lead 2 out, blundered and headed last, not recover, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Nuts Well (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Ch'tibello (FR) 7-2 (11-10) Held up in 5th, closed before 3 out, pressing for 2nd when not fluent 2 out, 3rd and beaten when mistake last, one pace and no impression, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Sternrubin (11-1) at Newbury 2m hcp lst (1) sft in Nov.
Always Resolute 4-6fav (11-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led before 2 out, blundered and headed last, no extra after, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Eastview Boy (11-0) at Newcastle 2m (4) hvy in Mar.
Cloudy Dream (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Keen, in touch, headway after 3 out, led on bit last, soon edged right, ridden clear, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Mar beating Kentucky Star (10-12) by 6l, 7 ran.
