chased leaders, slightly lost place 5th, headway to chase leaders again after 3 out, went close 3rd between last 2, challenging in 2nd last, driven and stayed on to lead final 100 yards
towards rear, ridden in mid-division and struggling before 2 out
prominent, mistake 3 out, chased leader after, led narrowly 2 out, ridden and headed when hit last, one pace flat, lost 3rd last strides
in touch on inside, ridden and weakened 3 out
never traveeled towards rear, hit 4th and ridden, struggling 3 out, went moderate 6th 2 out
in touch, weakened before 3 out, tailed off and eased next
led until narrowly headed 3rd, pressed leaders, led again before 2 out until 2 out, led again last, driven and stayed on flat, headed and no extra final 100 yards
in touch, headway and stayed on approaching 2 out, kept on from last, went 3rd last strides
chased leaders, led 3rd until 3 out, chased leaders until weakened before next
always towards rear, never a factor
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
always towards rear, slow 2nd, struggling 3 out, tailed off
towards rear, headway on outside to modest 5th approaching 2 out, never on terms
raced wide, towards rear, making som headway when mistake 4th, lost place and behind after, tailed off
never travelled towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leaders, led 3 out, headed well before next, soon weakened, behind and pulled up before last
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before last
Another really tough handicap in which a couple of the top yards have multiple entries. Top weight Gibb River was third over 2m at Aintree but Tour D'Argent, just beaten over this trip at the same meeting, looks the pick of Nicky Henderson's pair. David Pipe saddles three and The Pier must be interesting as he still showed signs of inexperience when sixth to Pateese at Cheltenham 10 days ago. He can reverse January's Wincanton running with stablemate Star Of Angels. Big Easy looks high enough in the weights now, however, and Cedre Bleu hasn't raced over hurdles for more than a year while Bourne has gone off the boil since winning at Ascot in February. TOP SMART was a real eye-catcher when third to Hada Men at Haydock last time, giving the impression a return to a stiffer track would be to his benefit. He's already a C&D winner this season and, proven on soft ground, gets the vote today.
Gibb River (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Towards rear, pushed along after 3rd, ridden and headway 2 out, kept on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 21, 3 1/2l behind Lifestyle (11-2) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gd.
Tour D'Argent (FR) 8-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, challenged 2 out, every chance last, kept on and held final 150 yards, 2nd of 21, 1 3/4l behind Attaglance (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd.
Big Easy (GER) 8-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Captain Sunshine (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (2) gs.
Star Of Angels 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, effort next, soon one pace, weakened before last, 11th of 21, 42l behind Cape Tribulation (11-12) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs.
Bourne 7-1 (11-3) Mid-division, lost place from 5th, soon in rear, tailed off 4 out, 18th of 21, well behind Attaglance (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd.
Cedre Bleu (FR) 7-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 12th, lost place 12th, struggling after, 5th of 7, 22l behind For Non Stop (11-4) at Newbury 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) gs in Feb.
Arab League (IRE) 2-9fav (11-5) Led until 4th, disputed lead until led again 3 out, drew clear next, very easily, won at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) fm in Mar beating Oscar Sierra (11-8) by 28l, 3 ran.
Act Of Kalanisi (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leader, weakened before 3 out, 17th of 21, well behind Attaglance (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd.
Art Professor (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 15th of 21, well behind Attaglance (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd.
Harry Hunt 16-1 (11-6) Held up in mid-division, headway after 5th, stayed on same pace approaching last, 4th of 15, 10l behind Volador (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Bar De Ligne (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Held up behind, headway before 3 out, soon left 2nd, kept on and no impression before last, lost 2nd place near finish, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Malin Bay (10-11) at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Sircozy (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Led, jumped right, headed fifth, kept on, no chance with winner, won at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft beating Marie Deja La (10-5) by 5l, 7 ran.
The Pier (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway 3rd, went 2nd before 5th, led after 3 out, wandered before going right 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, weakened final 100 yards, 6th of 10, 6l behind Pateese (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gs.
Monetary Fund (USA) 100-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, hit 4th, quickly weakened, 23rd of 24, well behind Paintball (10-7) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gs in Mar.
Top Smart 10-1 (10-5) In rear, ridden after 7th, stayed on well from 2 out, finished well to take 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 20, 5l behind Hada Men (10-8) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd.
Hellfire Club 3-1 (11-3) Led until 2nd, tracked leaders, mistake 5th, jumped left and led from 3 out, clear last, ridden out, won at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar beating Marodima (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Headly's Bridge (IRE) 5-1fav (11-10) Held up in rear, steady headway after 4 out, went 3rd before last, stayed on to 2nd final 110 yards, no chance with unchallenged winner, 2nd of 15, 5l behind Granville Island (11-6) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
