always in rear, jumped right 1st, pushed along after 8th, lost touch 4 out, tailed off
held up in touch, ridden and weakened after 2 out
held up and behind, blundered 3rd, steady progress on inside 6th, chased winner 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, one pace, lost 2nd last 75 yards
not fluent, prominent, niggled along and weakened 3 out
held up, headway 6th, mistake 7th, weakened approaching 4 out
made all, 3 lengths clear last, driven out towards finish
always prominent, slightly outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, rallied to take 2nd last 75 yards
Another race which carries Grade 1 status but has failed to attract a top-class line-up. Last week’s Ascot runner-up Caid Du Lin and the hat-trick seeking Destrier were the only two who didn’t run in the Arkle at Cheltenham. Us And Them finished second at The Festival but was no match for easy winner Duc Des Genievres. Clondaw Castle finished fourth and Knocknanuss was fifth while Ornua fell and LALOR was pulled up. But Kayley Woollacott’s gelding has a much better record around here and may be capable of restoring his reputation.
Caid Du Lin (FR) 3-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, led soon after, strongly challenged throughout run in, headed close home, just failed, 2nd of 4, hd behind Eddiemaurice (10-0) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Clondaw Castle (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Tracked leader until before 3rd, stayed prominent, left 2nd 6th until 9th, challenging 3 out, no impression on winner next, edged right after last, lost 2nd 150 yards, no extra, 4th of 12, 19 1/2l behind Duc Des Genievres (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Destrier (FR) 1-2fav (11-4) Led early, tracked clear leader, close up 6th, led again 8th, made rest, drew clear from 4 out, comfortably, won at Ayr 2m (4) gs in Jan beating Tonto's Spirit (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Knocknanuss (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear on outside, jumped right and not fluent 1st, headway to chase leader before 3rd, challenging 5th, left in lead next, headed 3 out, well beaten 4th 2 out, weakened after, 5th of 12, 24 1/2l behind Duc Des Genievres (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Lalor (GER) 13-2 (11-4) Rear group, last and struggling 5th, well behind 9th, pulled up before 4 out, at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Ornua (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Led, joined when fell 6th, at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Us And Them (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, pecked 1st, not fluent 4 out, ridden in modest 7th before 3 out, headway 2 out, went 2nd final 150 yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 13l behind Duc Des Genievres (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
