tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, challenged 3 out, stayed on to lead towards finish all out
held up mid-division, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching next
held up in touch, led briefly 3 out, ridden next, stayed on flat
held up, headway approaching 4 out, led after 3 out, ridden approaching next, no extra and headed towards finish
tracked leaders, drawing leader 6th, led after 4 out, headed next, soon weakened
always behind, blundered 3rd, tailed off from 6th, pulled up before 3 out
held up, ridden 6th, never dangerous
led, headed after 4 out, soon weakened
held up, behind from 5th, tailed off next, pulled up before 3 out
held up behind, weakened at 4 out
tracked leader, weakened 4 out, tailed off
The Ex-French Maurice is the interesting one here and he should not be underestimated in his bid to overhaul the likely market leaders Kanpai and Beau Michel. The last named is unbeaten from two starts for Paul Nicholls and obviously has plenty of scope for the future. he is bred to get a trip and it will come as no surprise to see him figure very prominently today. He does still have a lot of learning to do though, so it would not be the end of the world were he to be overhauled this afternoon. Kanpai has improved no end since switching codes and the form of his Grade 2 success now has a solid feel to it after Massini Maguire paid it a huge compliment at Cheltenham earlier this month. The penalties are mounting up for him tough and he faces a stiff test here. Therefore, it can also pay dividends to have a look at Maurice, who had useful form in his native land. Jason Maguire will be wearing Trevor Hemmings' colours as he guide the six-year-old around the course and, as he receives 7lb under the terms of the race, the son of Video Rock appeals as the best option to consider if there is going be a shock result in the finale.
Kanpai (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led after 7th, clear 2 out, unchallenged, won at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Oct beating Massini's Maguire (11-4) by 12l, 7 ran.
Beau Michel (FR) Evensfav (10-12) In touch, joined leader approaching 3 out, led 2 out, ran on well, ridden out, won at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct beating Giveusaclue (10-12) by 6l, 16 ran.
Mr Strachan (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders after 4th, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, headway next, stayed on to lead when blundered last, ran on towards finish, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun beating Harry Flashman (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Nevertika (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to chase leader approaching 2 out, led flat, driven out, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd beating King Barry (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Pass The Class (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (11-5) Raced keen, tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra, 3rd of 11, 17l behind Dunguaire Lady (10-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Jun.
Fastaffaran (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 3 out, no impression when mistake next, 3rd of 15, 14l behind All Things Equal (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Honour Guard (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden 6th, weakened 4 out, 9th of 15, well behind Nevertika (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
Maurice (FR) (11-0) Led till headed last, one pace when headed, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Newman Des Plages (10-8) at Auteuil 2m 6f chs sft in Jun.
Mr Floppy (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 16, 23l behind Harrowman (10-9) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) gd.
Old Benny 6-1 (11-4) In touch, headway 3f out, ridden approaching 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 17, 16l behind Barbers Shop (10-10) at Wincanton 2m mdn nhf (6) sft in Mar.
Water Pistol 100-1 (9-9) Headway 3rd, behind from 6th, 15th of 20, 47l behind After Midnight (9-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Go For One (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Ally Shrimp (11-6) at Bangor 3m nov hdl (4) gd in May, 13 ran.
