prominent, mainly 2nd, pushed along from 3 out, no impression straight, one pace
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, slight mistake 7th, 5th approaching 3 out, soon under pressure and no impression, no extra straight, tailed off
made all, slight mistakes 4 out and 3 out, asserted straight, soon clear, stayed on well, easily
tracked leaders, slight mistakes 2nd and 4th, not fluent 6th, 3rd approaching 3 out, 4th 2 out, soon no impression, moderate 3rd from last, kept on same pace
in rear, pushed along after 4th, slight mistake 6th and under pressure, no impression from 4 out, no extra from 2 out, tailed off
held up in 5th, 4th approaching 3 out travelling smoothly, chased winner and no impression straight, mistake last and soon dropped to 4th, one pace
NICHOLS CANYON bounced back from his defeat at Cheltenham with a superb performance at Aintree where he reversed positions with Parlour Games, who was just in front of him at the Festival. His jumping was sharper and he didn't pull as hard which bodes well for his chances of gaining his fourth Grade 1 victory. Willie Mullins has three other entries and as we've seen this week none of them can be regarded as makeweights though Mckinley is well held by the selection. Outlander wasn't too far behind him at Cheltenham but had no answer to Shaneshill at Fairyhouse subsequently while Sempre Medici looks well held despite a Grade 2 victory last month. Alpha Des Obeaux had just been headed by Thistlecrack when falling at the last in the Grade 1 Sefton over three miles at Aintree. He wasn't far behind the brilliant Douvan over the minimum trip here earlier and with this trip likely to suit he looks the main threat. No More Heroes disappointed in the three-miler here on Wednesday and it would take a leap of faith to see him bounce back.
Alpha Des Obeaux (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led after 4 out, ridden and headed just after 2 out, 1 length off winner when fell last, in a race won by Thistlecrack (11-4) at Aintree 3m nh nov hdl (1) gs in Apr, 16 ran.
Mckinley 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 32l behind Nichols Canyon (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Nichols Canyon 3-1fav (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led 2 out, kept on well run-in, won at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Apr beating Parlour Games (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
Outlander (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) Held up early, 4th from 5th, slight mistake 4 out, ridden into close 3rd entering straight, under pressure in 2nd and mistake 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 13l behind Shaneshill (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) in Apr.
Phil's Magic (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along straight, no impression in 6th after 2 out, no extra, 7th of 9, 13l behind Sempre Medici (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Apr.
Sempre Medici (FR) 9-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, progress straight and led after 2 out, stretched clear run-in, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Apr beating Identity Thief (11-4) by 6l, 9 ran.
No More Heroes (IRE) 5-2 (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra 2 out, no impression in 5th entering straight, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 25l behind Killultagh Vic (11-10) at Punchestown 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) in Apr.
