pulled hard, led, not fluent 4th or 9th, rider having problems after 11th and looked difficult to control, pulled up before 12th (jockey reported he was having cramps in his legs)
chased leaders, left 2nd 9th, led before 4 out, headed flat, soon beaten and eased
with leader until before 3rd, 2nd after until left in lead 9th, headed before 4 out, ridden after 3 out, closed last, led flat, soon clear
mistake and getting behind 2nd, left remote 3rd 9th
Minella Rocco has only won once over fences but that was the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in 2016. Kashmir Peak has not finished out of the first two in his last eight races between the flags but this looks a big ask for the veteran mare after a very long absence. BOB AND CO has also been off the track for a while and carries a penalty but his last run saw him finish third in a Grade 3 chase at Auteuil and he’ll take all the beating if running up to that form.
Bob And Co (FR) (10-7) 3rd of 5, 15 3/4l behind Storm Of Saintly (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 6f (1) sft in Mar.
Kashmir Peak (IRE) 4-5fav (12-0) (tt) trckd ldrs; led 15 til hdd last; no ex cl home, 2nd of 6, nk behind Burtredgipandgump (12-0) at High Easter 3m in Mar.
Minella Rocco (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Raced wide towards rear, ridden 4 out, never on terms, 8th of 13, 20 3/4l behind Militarian (11-10) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Roseyroo (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway on outer 14th, close up in 4th and going well enough when blundered and unseated rider 4 out, at Cheltenham 3m 1f (4) gd in May.
