tracked leader in 2nd, jumped big at 1st, soon 3rd, pulled up before 2nd
held up 4th, 3rd at 2nd where jumped big, improved to 2nd after 5th, soon 3rd, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, progress to 2nd at last, kept on, not trouble winner
led, not fluent at 1st and 2nd, 5 lengths clear at 5th, jumped left at 6th, reduced advantage and jumped left at 6th, headed before 2 out, dropped to 3rd at last, kept on one pace
rear, 4th at 2nd, detached at 5th, ridden after 4 out, no extra, tailed off
raced 3rd, 2nd after 1st, 3rd after 5th, soon closer in 2nd, travelled well to lead before 2 out where jumped left, ridden after last, kept on well
AVANT TOUT started off over fences with a victory over this trip but has also scored over three miles on heavy going. He ended the last campaign by conceding lumps of weight to Mr Diablo in a novices' handicap at Punchestown and looks set for another big season. The Game Changer chased home Douvan three times in Grade 1's but has gone off the boil this summer and his stable companion Tell Us More could improve past him this season. The latter gets plenty of allowances while Alisier D'irlande was nowhere near his best when a long way last behind Douvan at Aintree and much better is expected. Dandridge, runner-up in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham, is suited by the trip and good ground so it would be no surprise to see a big run from him.
Avant Tout (FR) 11-2 (11-8) Mid-division, 6th halfway, progress on inner to go 4th entering straight, slight mistake and jinked right 2 out, challenged last, soon led, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Apr beating Mr Diablo (10-7) by 2 3/4l, 15 ran.
The Game Changer (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Soon raced in moderate 4th, closed and slight mistake 2 out, travelling smoothly before straight, soon ridden to challenge, no impression and slight mistake last, 3rd and no extra run-in, one pace, 3rd of 7, 7 3/4l behind Hidden Cyclone (11-9) at Punchestown 2m gd in Oct.
Alisier D'Irlande (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Led, mistake 4 out, soon headed, weakened from 2 out, last of 5, dist behind Douvan (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) gs in Apr.
Dandridge 7-2jfav (9-12) Rear of mid-division, mistake at 3rd, 7th after 5th, driven in 6th before 2 out, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 9th of 11, 29 1/4l behind Supreme Vinnie (9-10) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hcp gd in Jun.
Tell Us More (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Held up, 6th from 4th, slightly slow next and 7th, not fluent 5 out, no impression approaching straight where jumped left, kept on without threatening run-in, 4th of 8, 4 3/4l behind Draycott Place (10-10) at Cork 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Oct.
