led, not fluent 6th, headed 11th, not fluent 12th, led 13th, headed 4 out, kept on same pace and no chance with winner
tracked leaders, lost place from 5 out, went remote 3rd from 3 out, no impression
tracked leaders, led 11th, headed 13th, not fluent 5 out, led 4 out, clear and not fluent last, kept on well
in rear, went 3rd from 5 out until 4 out, no impression
in touch, in 4th when fell 4th
Le Mercurey had some decent form next to his name before the turn of the year but he's become increasingly difficult to predict. BRISTOL DE MAI (NAP) is the obvious selection following his second to Black Hercules in the JLT at Cheltenham. The five-year-old will have found the ground plenty of quick enough that day and he has the best overall form. Henryville is the potential fly in the ointment stepping up in grade as he impressed when winning on the bridle at Exeter, though soft going is a real negative. Pain Au Chocolat will handle conditions, however, and still has plenty of scope over the larger obstacles and he makes more appeal than Killala Quay and Otago Trail.
Bristol De Mai (FR) 4-1cfav (11-4) With leader, led after 2nd, blundered next, joined 3 out, headed approaching next, ridden and outpaced by front pair between last 2, stayed on to take 2nd closing stages, no impression with winner, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Black Hercules (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gd in Mar.
Killala Quay 12-1 (11-9) In touch, led 2nd to 10th (water), close up, lost place 4 out, weakened from next, 14th of 20, dist behind Ballyalton (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp lst (1) gs in Mar.
Le Mercurey (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Tracked leader until 3rd, stayed handy until outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened, last of 8, 34 1/2l behind Blaklion (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Otago Trail (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place when not much room after 3rd, towards rear on outside but in touch when blundered badly 8th, not recover, quickly pulled up, at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Pain Au Chocolat (FR) 11-2 (11-2) Chased winner, not fluent 3rd, ridden before 2 out, lost 2nd last, one pace, 3rd of 4, 7 1/2l behind Rayvin Black (11-2) at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) sft in Feb.
Henryville 5-4fav (11-3) Mostly jumped well, held up, headway tracking leaders 9th, hit 11th, led 3 out, clear before last, eased towards finish, won at Exeter 2m 3f (3) gd in Mar beating Golden Doyen (10-12) by 3l, 6 ran.
