chased leaders, hit 9th, not fluent next, hit 13th, went 3rd next, rider lost whip after 4 out, went 2nd next, ridden to challenge last, driven ahead near finish
prominent, not looked keen, reminders from 13th, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, not fluent 10th, reminders 16th, blundered 4 out, weakened next
led, hit 5th and next, hit 3 out, strongly pressed last, kept on well flat, headed near finish
fell 1st
in touch until mistake, fell 12th
never travelling in rear, tailed off 9th, pulled up before 11th
Nonrunner
Festival third BABY RUN is preferred here to Royal Auclair and Amicelli. Sam Twiston-Davies gave the selection a fine ride in the Foxhunters' here in March when the pair filled third spot behind impressive winner Cappa Bleu. He is lightly raced for his age and receiving 4lb from both Amicelli and Royal Auclair he should put up a bold show. Amicelli won the Cheltenham race in 2008 and is not to be ignored here; Cherry Coward's gelding evidently likes this track having been a place behind Baby Run twelve months on and it would be a surprise were he not to feature prominently in the finish. Former Gold Cup third Take The Stand still has ability, Royal Auclair fell here in March when well-fancied at 8/1, whilst Hautclan and Merchants Friend both have quite a bit to find. Not the same numbers as a month ago but a competitive heat nonetheless and preference is for Baby Run.
Amicelli (GER) 9-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, hit 12th and lost place, ridden 16th, closed 18th, outpaced by leaders from 3 out, 4th of 24, 21l behind Cappa Bleu (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs in Mar.
Royal Auclair (FR) 8-1 (12-0) In touch, fell 7th, in a race won by Cappa Bleu (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs in Mar, 24 ran.
Take The Stand (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, hampered 3rd (Chair), close up when fell 5th, in a race won by Trust Fund (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (2) gd, 29 ran.
Baby Run (FR) 14-1 (12-0) With leader, hit 11th, led 13th, headed narrowly before 2 out, still close 3rd last, stayed on one pace flat, 3rd of 24, 13l behind Cappa Bleu (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs in Mar.
Merchants Friend (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Behind, hit 14th, stayed on from next, not pace to troubled leaders, 4th of 9, 12l behind Brer Bear (11-5) at Newbury 3m hts chs (6) gd in Mar.
Swift Wood 3-1 (12-0) Prog 9; went 2nd 15; led aft 4 out; drew clr 2 out; easy, won at Trebudannon 3m ptp in Apr '08 beating Braeroy (12-0) by 8l, 12 ran.
Thompsons Wood (IRE) 100-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, led 8th, blundered and unseated rider 14th, in a race won by Trust Fund (12-3) at Chepstow 3m 5f nov hts chs (5) gd in Mar, 20 ran.
Hautclan (FR) 18-1 (11-5) Behind, hit 2nd, struggling 9th, 5th of 9, 12l behind Brer Bear (11-5) at Newbury 3m hts chs (6) gd in Mar.
