held up in rear, pecked badly 3 out, no chance after
tracked leader, challenged going well 3 out, led last, ridden clear run-in
chased leaders on inside, ridden and kept on run-in, not pace to threaten winner
keen in mid-division, headway on outside chasing leaders before 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
chased leaders, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, stayed on same pace run-in, just held on for 2nd
keen, always towards rear, never involved
held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, plugged on one pace and no impression run-in
chased leaders, jumped slowly 4th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off
held up in last pair, headway on inside before 2 out, modest 4th last
mid-division, awkward 2nd, headway chasing leaders approaching 3 out, weakened between last 2
held up towards rear, headway on inside chasing leaders after 3 out, weakened last
held up towards rear, steady headway on inside approaching 3 out, chased leaders next, weakened approaching last
A cracking contest which sees Old Guard make a relatively quick reappearance after finishing third in the Greatwood at Cheltenham. A line through winner Elgin puts him close to Ascot fourth AIR HORSE ONE but Harry Fry’s charge will have benefited from his reappearance and may also be more at home over this extra half-mile. Court Minstrel won the Silver Trophy at Chepstow last time but has gone up 7lb for that. Coeur de Lion travelled strongly in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton until lack of condition told and should stay the extra while stable companion Dino Velvet was also a decent novice last season. Maestro Royal wins his fair share but Master Dancer and Jabulani look better treated. The former did have fitness on his side when storming clear at Cheltenham but the latter looks a progressive type who will relish ground conditions.
Court Minstrel (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, good headway chasing leaders approaching 4 out, challenged last, led towards finish, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gs in Oct beating Sam Spinner (10-12) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Old Guard 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, ridden and stayed on under pressure to take narrow 3rd flat, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 13, 4 3/4l behind Elgin (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Air Horse One 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, led next, hard pressed 2 out, soon ridden, headed narrowly last, kept on and every chance flat, no extra towards finish, 4th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Elgin (11-11) at Ascot 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Nov.
Coeur de Lion 12-1 (11-5) In touch, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 11 3/4l behind London Prize (10-9) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Remiluc (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Raven's Tower (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Maestro Royal 25-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, jumped slowly 6th, outpaced before 2 out, plugged on run-in, went never nearer 4th post, no threat, 4th of 7, 4 1/4l behind Bags Groove (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Jaleo (GER) 40-1 (10-3) Prominent, ridden and lost place on home bend, soon weakened, fell last, at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Doesyourdogbite (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Chased leaders on outside, weakened before 4 out, soon behind, 16th of 18, dist behind Court Minstrel (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gs in Oct.
Master Dancer 12-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, driven to chase leaders after next, ridden to lead flat, soon clear, ran on, readily, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Vivas (11-1) by 10l, 21 ran.
Jabulani (FR) 1-2fav (10-12) Tracked leading pair, 2nd 3 out, led on bit and slightly hampered 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Lingfield 2m 3f (3) sft in Nov beating First Assignment (10-12) by 6l, 14 ran.
Dino Velvet (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Held up, headway before 2 out, plugged on, no threat, 5th of 10, 10 1/4l behind Silver Streak (10-11) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Vicenzo Mio (FR) 22-1 (11-12) Raced keenly, led after 1st, wandered approaching 3 out, headed before next, ridden and weakened between last 2, 8th of 10, 18 3/4l behind Golan Fortune (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
