made all, not fluent 1st, edged left and drew clear after 2 out, went left last, comfortably
held up, not fluent 8th or 10th, weakened 11th
held up, headway on outside 9th, mistake next, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, slow 1st, pecked next, went 2nd 7th until 10th, weakened 3 out
tracked winner until 7th, weakened before 9th, pulled up before 10th
held up, headway 8th, outpaced 4 out, rallied before 2 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner
held up, headway 3rd, went 2nd 10th, edged left and no impression on winner after 2 out, lost 2nd towards finish
THEINVAL (NAP) could be a novice to follow this season as he's already had a couple of runs over the larger obstacles in France, finishing second twice. A progressive sort over hurdles last term, Nicky Henderson's five-year-old had Nexius more than 20 lengths behind when winning a Grade 3 at Aintree in April over a similar trip and is the one to beat here. Coologue, Racing Pulse and Kingfisher Creek should all do well now their attention is switched to fences but this a tough start for Smooth Stepper and Royal Captain.
Coologue (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, chased winner until 8th, soon behind, tailed off when mistake 3 out, pulled up before last, at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Kingfisher Creek 11-4fav (11-13) Started slowly and reluctant, headway and in touch 2nd, tracked leaders next, 2nd 3 out, hung left after, blundered and lost 2nd 2 out, ridden and one pace between last two, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind The Eaglehaslanded (11-1) at Chepstow 2m 4f (4) sft in Mar.
Nexius (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division on inside, not much room after 2nd, outpaced after 4 out, ridden and kept on same pace under pressure from 2 out, never near leaders, 10th of 21, 22l behind Theinval (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Racing Pulse (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Held up, lost place before 5 out, soon well beaten, last of 7, 35 1/4l behind Cocktails At Dawn (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f (2) gd in Oct.
Royal Captain (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) (tt) led to 15; lft in ld nxt; slpd up bend aft 3 out, at Bredwardine 3m gd in May.
Smooth Stepper 20-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, weakened quickly before 3 out, 7th of 11, 36 1/2l behind Capard King (10-13) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Theinval (FR) 7-1fav (11-7) Towards rear, mid-division 4th, headway after 4 out, tacked leaders next, joined leader going well before 2 out, led between last 2, ridden flat, pressed towards finish, held on, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Apr beating The Saint James (10-8) by 1/2l, 21 ran.
