mid-division, driven and headway 3 out, soon ridden to challenge, weakened after 2 out
disputed lead until led and not fluent 3 out, soon strongly challenged, mistake next, hard ridden last, stayed on strongly
disputed lead, slow 2nd, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, no extra closing stages
chased leaders, under pressure approaching 3 out, soon lost place
tracked leaders, effort when mistake 2 out, soon under pressure and weakened
held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
always behind, weakened 3 out
held up in rear, weakened 3 out
Nonrunner
At the age of eight, AAIM TO PROSPER is jumping hurdles late in life but Paul Nicholls now has charge of the dual Cesarewitch winner and he will probably win this if his jumping proves up to scratch. Meganisi looks the danger as he beat last month's Wincanton winner Kings Lad by 11 lengths at that track in May and is 3lb better off here. It's hard to see Colin Tizzard's charge reversing the form. Ironic has his first run since arriving from France so Sandown bumper third Le Reve may be best of the rest with Coastal Boy likely to need further.
Kings Lad (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway 6th, led after 2 out, ridden clear flat, ran on well, won at Wincanton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gs beating Mr Mole (11-4) by 7l, 14 ran.
Meganisi (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Raced wide, held up towards rear, headway after 7th, chased leaders 4 out, ridden after 3 out, still disputing 3rd when blundered and stumled badly 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 18l behind Lamb Or Cod (10-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Aaim To Prosper (IRE) 66-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, headway 4f out, driven to lead 3f out, soon hard pressed, ridden 1f out, edged left under pressure inside final furlong, held on towards finish, won at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gs in Oct beating Countrywide Flame (8-5) by 1/2l, 34 ran (flat).
Coastal Boy (IRE) 15-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Ardkilly Witness (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Ironic (FR) 20-1 (10-7) 3rd of 8, 12l behind Ma Filleule (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 1f 4yo chs sft in Mar.
Le Reve (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Chasing leaders on inside when not much room and hit rail over 12f out, soon lost place and towards rear, headway on inside over 3f out, soon pushed along, kept on same pace in 3rd final 2f, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Wychwoods Brook (11-0) at Sandown 2m NH flat (6) sft.
Maison Royale 66-1 (11-0) Chased leader until pushed along after 4th, weakened soon after 4 out, left poor 4th last, 4th of 11, 27l behind Orabora (11-0) at Chepstow 2m NH mdn hdl (5) sft.
Strawberry Hill (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Always behind, pushed along and struggling before 8th, tailed off, 8th of 13, 45l behind Cloudy Copper (10-12) at Exeter 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
General Girling 100-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, weakened 4f out, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Mr Mole (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Apr.
