mid-division, jumped left 2nd, weakened 3 out, rallied closing stages, never dangerous
led until approaching 2nd, chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, gradually weakened
mid-division, slow 3rd, headway approaching 5 out, outpaced after 3 out, soon no impression
always prominent, challenging when left in clear lead last, easily (1 hurdle omitted)
prominent, not fluent 1st, led before next, fell last
held up towards rear, under pressure approaching 3rd, mistake 3 out, soon beaten
pulled hard early, tracked leader, under pressure approaching 2 out, weakening when blundered last
in touch, mistake 1st, not fluent 3rd, weakened 3 out
held up in rear, ridden 4 out, never dangerous
behind, mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, rallied after next, stayed on well to go 2nd after last, no chance with easy winner
Paul Nicholls has farmed this event in recent years, winning the last three renewals and five of the last 10. He introduces a potentially smart recruit again this year in MONT DES AVALOIRS (NAP), a full brother to very useful hurdler/chaser Le Prezien who easily landed the odds in what was probably a decent bumper at Chepstow last month. If The Cap Fits, a smart performer in bumpers himself last season, made an impressive start over timber at Exeter and will make a bold bid to defy his penalty. Kilbricken Storm wasn't far behind a couple of promising novices at Exeter last month and is open to further improvement but the market will be the best guide to Show On The Road and The Draconian.
Django Django (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on inside, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f but no impression, 4th of 13, 11 1/4l behind Court Liability (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f (6) gd in Oct.
Fenlons Court (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 13, 16 1/4l behind Court Liability (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f (6) gd in Oct.
It's Obvious 4-1 (11-10) Ww rr, 8th 1/2way, prog to 3rd early str,eff to jn ldr last, 2l dwn last, nt mtch wnr, ko same pce run-in, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Fitzhenry (11-10) at Monksgrange 3m mdn Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Kilbricken Storm (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, chased leaders before 3 out, soon led, ridden and headed last, kept on, 3rd of 17, 2 1/4l behind Onefortheroadtom (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gs in Oct.
Minellatillmorning (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Keen in rear, mistake 5 out, some late headway, modest 4th, 4th of 11, 32 3/4l behind Springtown Lake (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Mont Des Avaloirs (FR) 4-6fav (11-0) Took keen hold early, led after 2f, made rest, pushed out final furlong, ran on well, won at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct beating The Russian Doyen (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Podili Road (IRE) Darsi gelding out of Geray Lady.
Show On The Road 3-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, led over 4f out, clear over 3f out, driven over 2f out, kept on, wandered and edged left inside final furlong, always doing enough, won at Taunton 2m (5) gd in Apr beating Only For Love (10-10) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
The Brothers (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Prominent, lost place 3f out, well held final 2f, 8th of 13, 24 1/4l behind Court Liability (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f (6) gd in Oct.
The Draconian (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up, headway on inside 3f out, pressing leaders 1f out, stayed on, no impression on winner, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Challico (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (6) gf in May.
Vango De Vaige (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Mistake 2nd, always behind, 13th of 14, 33 1/2l behind Dynamite Dollars (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Oct.
If The Cap Fits (IRE) 1-2fav (10-12) Mostly jumped well, made all, hit 2 out, came clear between last 2, unchallenged, won at Exeter 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct beating Blu Cavalier (10-12) by 8l, 10 ran.
