made all, soon clear, ridden before last, kept on strongly
tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 6th, weakened before 3 out
in rear, headway before 12th, in 4th before 3 out, ridden before next, kept on same pace
mid-division, behind from 8th, outpaced next, blundered badly and unseated rider 4 out
mid-division, jumped slightly left mainly throughout, went 2nd from 10th, mistake 2 out, ridden before last, no impression on winner
held up towards rear, weakened from 12th
tracked winner until 10th, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace
towards rear and in touch, went 5th from 2 out, one pace and no impression
Several of these arrive off the back of good runs at Cheltenham. Sizing John had Aso behind when runner-up to the brilliant Douvan in the Arkle having finished second to the same horse at Leopardstown but steps into unknown territory over this longer trip. Bouvreuil went close in a novices' handicap at the Festival but L'Ami Serge's third to Black Hercules in the JLT is stronger form and the six-year-old makes more appeal than stablemate Volnay De Thaix. GARDE LA VICTOIRE fell in the JLT but was on the heels of the leaders at the time and travelling strongly. Providing that tumble hasn't left its mark. Philip Hobbs' charge could make amends in this as he'd beaten some smart novices previously in rattling up a hat-trick and neither ground nor distance will be a problem. Rock The World may be better over 2m and Arzal has already had his limitations exposed.
Arzal (FR) 11-2 (11-4) Led, pushed along before 4 out, headed 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on and held run-in, 2nd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Vaniteux (11-0) at Doncaster 2m (1) gd in Jan.
Aso (FR) 66-1 (11-4) In rear, mistake 1st, jumped slowly 3rd and pushed along briefly, mistake when in still in touch 3 out, soon outpaced, no impression after, 5th of 7, 14l behind Douvan (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Bouvreuil (FR) 14-1 (11-8) Mid-division, blundered 5th, headway 4 out, tracked leaders next, effort 2 out, led narrowly last, soon ridden, headed final 110 yards, kept on, just held, 2nd of 20, 1/2l behind Ballyalton (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp lst (1) gs in Mar.
Garde La Victoire (FR) 4-1cfav (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place when reached for 11th, 6th but still in touch when fell 4 out, at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gd in Mar.
L'Ami Serge (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) In touch on inside, chased front pair when switched outside after 3 out, led approaching next where went badly left, ridden and headed after last, kept on same pace, well held when lost 2nd closing stages, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Black Hercules (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gd in Mar.
Rock The World (IRE) 9-2fav (11-6) In touch, hampered 6th (water), ridden and chasing leaders 2 out, pressing for 2nd last, no impression on winner flat, kept on, 3rd of 24, 4 1/4l behind Solar Impulse (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Sizing John 9-1 (11-4) Led until 3rd, tracked winner until before 3 out, unable to quicken when hampered and left 2nd 2 out, no impression, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Douvan (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Volnay De Thaix (FR) 40-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden after 2 out, never reached leaders, 15th of 26, 10 1/2l behind Diamond King (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
