tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, 1 length down last, strong challenge run-in, driven to lead near finish, all out
chased leaders, lost place slightly after 2nd, rallied on outside approaching 5 out, not fluent and weakened 3 out
tracked leader, led and hit 3rd, hit next, headed 4 out, chased leader until next, kept on same pace in 3rd, pecked last, weakened into 4th final 100 yards
held up towards rear, no impression when hit 5 out, kept on run-in
often jumped right, raced wide, led until 3rd, chased leader, led again 4 out, 1 length ahead last, hard ridden and strongly pressed run-in, headed and rallied near finish
always in rear
tracked leaders, ridden and no impression in 4th before 3 out, kept on into 3rd final 100 yards
tracked leaders, weakened 5 out
last pair, losing touch when pulled up before 10th
NonRunner
NonRunner
Shanahan's Turn finished second to stablemate Ultragold in the Topham at Aintree in April and would have claims on that form. Barney Dwan has undoubted ability but the fences sometimes get in the way. Charbel was third over this trip at Perth but is possibly better over 2m and soft ground would be a concern. ART MAURESQUE (NAP) won this in 2016 and the yard also took last year’s renewal. The eight-year-old was highly tried last season and can pick up the winning thread again back in a handicap. Baron Alco may need this while Le Rocher ran poorly at Newton Abbot on Friday. Garde La Victoire has questions to answer on his return.
Charbel (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Chased clear leaders, closed 9th, awkward and lost ground 4 out, closed on outside 3 out, beaten from 2 out, stayed on same pace, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 7, 5 3/4l behind Hammersly Lake (11-12) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Art Mauresque (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leading trio, 3rd after 4 out, went 2nd before the last, stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Top Notch (11-6) at Sandown 2m 7f (1) gs in Apr.
Garde La Victoire (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Never better than mid-division, weakened after 3 out, behind when hit last, tailed off, 13th of 22, dist behind Le Prezien (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Barney Dwan (IRE) 4-1fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, fell 12th, at Ayr 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Baron Alco (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 8th, hard pressed 3 out, headed next, soon ridden and outpaced, kept on under pressure flat, no impression with winner, 2nd of 24, 6l behind Road To Respect (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Marracudja (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Held up behind, outpaced after 5 out, stayed on into mid-division from next, never able to get on terms, 7th of 13, 18l behind Javert (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Shanahan's Turn (IRE) 9-2fav (10-4) Raced in 7th early, reminder 10th, no impression approaching 4 out, no extra and pulled up next, at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Ballyhill (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Held up in touch in rear, struggling 10th, hampered 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, at Ayr 2m 4f hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Chirico Vallis (FR) 20-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders on outer, slipped on landing 5th, lost place next, behind 7th, stayed on into modest 3rd after 2 out, no chance with clear pair, 3rd of 7, 20l behind Wells De Lune (11-9) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Aug.
Le Rocher (FR) 5-1 (11-6) Held up in touch on outside, struggling in rear from 11th, went modest 4th before 2 out, stayed on to snatch 3rd final strides, no chance with clear pair, 3rd of 5, 11 1/4l behind Beggar's Wishes (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f (2) hvy in Oct.
Lord Du Mesnil (FR) (11-2) 3rd of 9, 3l behind Punch Nantais (11-0) at Auteuil 2m 6f sft in Apr.
