jumped well, led, clever at 9th, joined 2 out, narrowly headed before last, rallied to regain lead run-in, driven and stayed on most gamely
chased leading pair, went 2nd 5th until next, chased leading pair, ridden on long run to 2 out where mistake, not quicken between last two, stayed on pressing for 2nd under pressure run-in, no impression on battling winner
tracked leaders in 4th, 2nd before 10th, hit 12th, challenged and went left 2 out, led before went left and hit last, soon headed, kept on under pressure to hold 2nd run-in, no impression on battling winner
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, went 5th at 12th, outpaced fom 14th, never on terms with leaders after, modest 4th at the last until run-in
chased winner until 5th, chased leading pair until 2nd again 6th until pushed along before 10th, dropped to last 12th, rallied under pressure into modest 4th run-in
took keen hold, held up in last pair, headway 11th, pushed along disputing 3rd approaching 2 out, beginning to weaken when mistake 2 out, eased in closing stages, tailed off
Aintree winner Wishfull Thinking had the hard-pulling Radjhani Express behind when third at Ascot subsequently and should confirm that form. Wonderful Charm beat useful rivals at Newton Abbot on his reappearance and probably came up against a smart prospect at Down Royal last month. But the one to beat looks to be EDUARD, who has always been held in high regard. He was only beaten a length-and-a-quarter by Many Clouds at Carlisle and that one landed the Hennessy last week. French Opera looked on the downgrade last season and this may also be too tough for De Boitron.
Wishfull Thinking 9-2 (11-7) Held up in last trio in touch, headway into 3rd 10th until next, chased leading trio, pushed along and outpaced well before 2 out, hanging right when driven between last two, stayed on into 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Al Ferof (11-11) at Ascot 2m 3f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
Wonderful Charm (FR) 8-11fav (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and no impression when slight mistake 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 3, 9l behind Don Cossack (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f chs G2 (1) in Nov.
Eduard (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Held up in touch in rear, headway 4 out, chased winner 2 out, effort flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Many Clouds (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f lst chs (1) sft in Nov.
De Boitron (FR) 33-1 (11-12) In rear, headway on outer before 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, headed last, kept on and held run-in, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Vasco Du Ronceray (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
French Opera 12-1 (11-7) Held up in touch in last trio, outpaced from 7th, well beaten before 3 out, 5th of 6, 17l behind Sire De Grugy (11-7) at Sandown 2m chs G1 (1) gs in Apr.
Rajdhani Express 9-2 (11-1) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4th, led next, clear approaching 11th until 4 out, headed 2 out, soon lost 2nd, chased leading trio, weakened into 4th final 100 yards, 4th of 6, 11l behind Al Ferof (11-11) at Ascot 2m 3f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
