led, clear 1st until 4th, headed 3 out, led again 2 out, soon headed, shied away from rival jockeys whip before last, weakened flat
chased leaders, lost place before 6th, no impression after, well held 6th when mistake last
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd or 6th, losing place when not fluent 2 out, weakened
held up towards rear, headway 6th, lost place before 2 out, weakened
mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, headed after last, no impression on winner flat, lost 2nd towards finish
chased leader, not fluent 4th, led 3 out, headed next, stayed on flat, no impression on winner, went 2nd towards finish
mid-division, headway from 4th, lost place 3 out, weakened after
in rear, headway 3 out, 4th when mistake last, stayed on, unable to challenge
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, headway on inside approaching 3 out, challenged last, soon led, ran on well
towards rear, behind from 5th
Competitive Listed fare in which CARDINAL WALTER is a hopeful choice given that he's been absent for over 300 days. Useful on the level for David Simcock, he's shown more than enough in just four starts over timber to suggest he's potentially well handicapped off a mark of 139. Well held in Grade 2 company at Aintree when last seen, connections clearly felt he was worth a shot at that elevated level and hopefully he'll be ready to do himself justice. Champion Hurdle entry Aristo Du Plessis has proved a real moneyspinner for James Ewart with six wins from his last seven starts and this good jumper's prominent style of racing should be well suited to this sharp track. This is his toughest task to date but it would be folly to exclude him from calculations. Days Of Heaven might need this comeback run but had useful form last term whilst others to consider are Pearl Castle and the totally unexposed Mango Cap.
Aristo Du Plessis (FR) 5-2fav (11-12) Made all, 8 lengths clear after 3rd, driven when challenged 2 out, ran on strongly, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp (2) gs in Jan beating Pearl Castle (11-4) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Hawk High (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Chased leaders to 4th, mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, behind from next, 20th of 24, dist behind Wicklow Brave (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Days Of Heaven (FR) 14-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, outpaced 2 out, ridden and weakened before last, 16th of 17, 22 3/4l behind Old Guard (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Pearl Castle (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) In touch, short of room after 4f, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 5th of 7, 2l behind Anglophile (9-2) at Lingfield 2m stks (2) pol in Jan.
Cardinal Walter (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, pushed along to press for close 2nd 3 out, one pace from next, 4th and fading when jumped right and mistake last, lost 4th flat, 5th of 11, 23 1/4l behind Cyrus Darius (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) gs in Apr.
Vendor (FR) 4-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, led before 2 out, headed last, no extra and lost 2nd place last 100 yards, 3rd of 10, 7 3/4l behind One For Harry (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Viens Chercher (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders on inside, ridden and lost place approaching 7th, pulled up after 3 out, at Warwick 2m 5f (1) hvy in Jan.
Zaidiyn (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, kept on and no impression, 4th of 9, 7 3/4l behind Holly Bush Henry (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Mango Cap (FR) 10-11fav (11-5) In touch, headway when mistake 3 out, chased leader next, kept on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Suit Yourself (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) hvy in Dec.
Shrewd 11-4 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, ridden and kept on run-in, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Holly Bush Henry (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Serenity Now (IRE) 5-2 (8-10) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 11 1/2l behind Gabrial The Hero (9-10) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
