close up, stumbled 2nd, stayed in touch, under pressure and never going well from 7th, soon struggling
settled 3rd, went 2nd 7th, closed on leader approaching 3 out, led 2 out, soon clear, driven out
raced in 6th, behind and struggling from 7th
led and soon well clear, reduced lead when hit 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, soon no chance with winner, tired and lost 2nd run-in
not fluent, held up, mistake 5th, pulled up after next
chased clear leader to 7th, remained in 3rd, ridden after 4 out, jumped left and lost 3rd 2 out, weakened
held up, headway from 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on to take moderate 2nd run-in
held up in rear, plugged on one pace from 3 out
held up in touch, behind from 7th, bled from the nose
held up, hit 8th, soon went 4th, weakened approaching 2 out
mistake 3rd, always behind, struggling from 7th
In the absence of Twist Magic, Paul Nicholls relies on Andreas, who came close to opening his account for the season at Ayr last week, but he may have to settle for minor honours again with preference for Monet's Garden, who gets the vote ahead of Lennon. The last mentioned had Andreas behind him at Aintree in the race won by Stan but is slightly worse off at the weights today and he should be thereabouts. German raider Fiepes Shuffle clearly has plenty of ability but it is impossible to weigh up the merits of his form, while Howle Hill has been found wanting in his last two starts and may now be best watched. Lord Henry has every chance on what he showed at Aintree but may struggle to confirm the form with those behind him that day on the revised terms. The vote then goes to the Nicky Richards-trained Monet's Garden, who defeated Kauto Star on his reappearance, with relish the underfoot conditions and he should appreciate the drop back to two miles.
Monet's Garden (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) In rear, effort after 11th, weakened from 15th, 4th of 5, 48l behind Our Vic (11-10) at Aintree 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gs.
Andreas (FR) 10-3 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, one pace, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Marcel (10-3) at Ayr 2m hcp chs (2) gd.
Celestial Gold (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last, 7th of 14, 16l behind Stan (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
Fiepes Shuffle (GER) (10-10) Led and soon clear, mistake 3rd, very easily, won at Mannheim 2m chs gd in Mar beating Bernaar (10-6) by a distance, 7 ran.
Howle Hill (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Mid-division, hit 2nd, headway 7th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 12th of 17, 38l behind Tiger Cry (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Lennon (IRE) 5-1fav (11-9) Led, headed 6th, led again 8th, ridden 3 out, headed after 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 18, 9l behind Stan (9-9) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
Lord Henry (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, led after 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 18, 4l behind Stan (9-9) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 6-4fav (11-8) Held up in 4th, challenged after 4 out, led 3 out, soon headed, idled flat, driven to lead last strides, won at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (2) gd beating Oslot (11-8) by a hd, 5 ran.
Nyrche (FR) 25-1 (11-8) Held up, closer order 8th, hampered and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Demi Beau (10-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov '06, 11 ran.
Pablo Du Charmil (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway 7th, lost place 2 out, no chance after, 12th of 24, 21l behind Naiad du Misselot (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Priors Dale 25-1 (11-12) Chased leader to 8th, weakened approaching 4 out, soon tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind King Louis (11-2) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs (2) gd.
