in touch, pressed winner after 4 out, lost place approaching 2 out, soon outpaced, weakened between last 2
raced keenly, in touch on inside, lost place when short of room after 4 out, outpaced before next, well held from 2 out
towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, 3rd turning in, one pace before last, soon lost place, well held flat
slowly away, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
led, clear to after 2nd, headed 4 out, lost place before next, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last
behind, headway into mid-division on outside after 2nd, went 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden between last 2, one pace and no impression when mistake last, soon lost place, well held flat, lost 4th final stride
in touch on outside, lost place 2 out, soon beaten
mid-division, outpaced 2 out, rallied between last 2, went left and hit last, soon ridden, stayed on to press for 2nd flat, no impression with winner
raced keenly, always prominent, led going well 4 out, drew clear approaching last, ridden out flat, stayed on well
in touch, driven 2 out, kept on same pace, never able to challenge
never better than mid-division, behind from 4 out, pulled up before next
prominent, driven and lost place before 2 out, soon weakened
always behind, struggling after 4 out
held up behind, mistake 4th, headway on outside 3 out, driven to chase leaders turning in, went 2nd soon after last, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, no impression with winner
mid-division, chased leaders before 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders on inside, driven and outpaced 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, stayed on under pressure flat, snatched well held 4th final strides
NonRunner
NonRunner
A brilliant renewal but Fakir D'Oudairies is a surprise entry having been second favourite for Friday’s Triumph Hurdle. He won a Grade 2 on the New Course here in January but not many four-year-olds win this. Willie Mullins has won this three times in the last six years and five times in total and Ruby Walsh’s mount Klassical Dream beat stablemate Aramon and Vision D'Honneur in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last month. Al Dancer has been battle-hardened in handicaps and may not have finished improving yet while the unexposed Angels Breath and Mister Fisher give Nicky Henderson a strong hand. GRAND SANCY has improved for experience when finishing second in the Tolworth and winning the Kingwell and he should enjoy the likely strong gallop in this race. Felix Desjy also has a squeak having returned to winning ways in a Grade 2 at Punchestown in January.
Al Dancer (FR) 5-2fav (11-8) Keen early, chased leaders, challenged on inside going well 2 out, led and went right last, driven clear run-in, won at Ascot 2m hcp (1) gs in Feb beating Magic Dancer (10-6) by 3 3/4l, 14 ran.
Angels Breath (IRE) 8-11fav (11-7) Tracked leaders on inside, went 2 lengths 2nd approaching 2 out, left with chance as winner blundered last, stayed on, always held, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Southfield Stone (11-2) at Kempton 2m (1) gd in Feb.
Aramon (GER) 5-2 (11-10) Held up in 5th, headway into 4th and pushed along entering straight, hung slightly left approaching last, ridden in 2nd at last, hung left and led narrowly inside final furlong, joined close home, headed last strides, 2nd of 7, hd behind Klassical Dream (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m (1) gd in Feb.
Beaufort West (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders on inside, led going well approaching 2 out, edged left approaching last, headed and not quicken run-in, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Winston C (11-6) at Sandown 2m (3) sft in Feb.
Brandon Castle 5-6fav (11-10) Jumped well, made all, came clear before 2 out, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Plumpton 2m hcp (3) gd in Feb beating Arthington (11-9) by 9l, 5 ran.
Felix Desjy (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Led, soon clear, reduced lead 2 out, pushed along approaching straight, jumped slightly left last, stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m (1) gd in Jan beating Jetez (11-2) by 5l, 6 ran.
Grand Sancy (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, not fluent 3 out, challenged going well soon after, led before next, ridden between last 2, hard pressed last, stayed on gamely under pressure flat, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) gd in Feb beating Sceau Royal (11-2) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Itchy Feet (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd approaching last (usual 2 out), ridden to challenge when edged left over 1f out, kept on, held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Elixir De Nutz (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Klassical Dream (FR) 9-4fav (11-9) Tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent at 4th, improved to dispute lead 3 out, led on inner after 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed approaching last, joined at last, narrowly headed inside final furlong, rallied to dispute lead close home, led last strides, won at Leopardstown 2m (1) gd in Feb beating Aramon (11-10) by hd, 7 ran.
Mister Fisher (IRE) Evensfav (11-7) Tracked leader, poised to challenge 3 out, shaken up to lead narrowly when mistake next, ridden clear flat, kept on well, won at Haydock 2m (1) gs in Jan beating Bright Forecast (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Normal Norman 40-1 (11-2) Held up in last pair, outpaced 3 out, plugged on from next, went 3rd between last 2, no chance with 1st 2, 3rd of 7, 18 3/4l behind Southfield Stone (11-2) at Kempton 2m (1) gd in Feb.
The Big Bite (IRE) 11-4 (11-8) Held up towards rear, hit 3rd, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, 4th of 6, 7l behind Mister Fisher (11-0) at Kempton 2m (2) gs in Dec.
The Flying Sofa (FR) 8-13fav (11-2) Chased leaders on inside, 2nd after 3 out, ridden and well held before next, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 14l behind Pentland Hills (10-7) at Plumpton 2m mdn (4) gd in Feb.
Thomas Darby (IRE) 1-5fav (11-8) Tracked leader, led after 3 out, challenged next, driven clear last, comfortably, won at Taunton 2m (4) gs in Jan beating War Brigade (11-8) by 3l, 5 ran.
Vision D'Honneur (FR) 3-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd, headway into 2nd entering straight, ridden and dropped to 3rd before last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 7, 6 1/4l behind Klassical Dream (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m (1) gd in Feb.
Fakir D'Oudairies (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Led until 2nd, led 3 out, clear approaching last, stayed on strongly, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gs in Jan beating Fine Brunello (11-0) by 13l, 9 ran.
Elixir De Nutz (FR) 3-1 (11-7) Mostly jumped slickly, made all, hit 5th, ridden between last 2, driven and stayed on strongly run-in, unchallenged, won at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Jan beating Grand Sancy (11-7) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Tokay Dokey (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Keen, tracked leaders on outside until fell 4th, at Kempton 2m (1) gd in Feb.
