mid-division on inside, hampered on rail and lost place after 7th, well behind after 4 out
tracked leaders, led 7th, headed 3 out, weakened 2 out, tired when jumped left and clambered over last
held up towards rear, headway 8th, mistake 4 out, ridden and one pace after 2 out, 4th and no impression before last
prominent, ridden and lost place after 4 out, weakened before next
held up in mid-division, headway after 7th, led 3 out, gradually edged right to stands rail after 2 out, headed last, driven and stayed on well flat, led again close home
held up towards rear, hit 6th, ridden and struggling after next, pulled up before 8th
held up in rear, steady headway going well from 4 out, challenging when blundered 2 out, led last, driven and hung right flat, headed close home
tracked leaders on outside, ridden 3 out, one pace next, 5th and no impression last, weakened flat
held up towards rear, hit 8th, effort 4 out, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before last
not that fluent in rear, blundered 1st, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, ridden and struggling 4 out, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, not fluent 6th, ridden and still handy 3 out, one pace from next, 3rd and no impression on front pair last
mid-division, not fluent 8th, struggling next, well beaten after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, mistake 7th, soon lost place, well beaten after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
led until 7th, tracked leader, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, well held after, plugged on into modest 5th flat
NonRunner
This wouldn't be the most competitive Grade 1 ever staged. Ghost River and Yala Enki ran in the Neptune Investment at Cheltenham but the former finished last and the latter was pulled up. Bellshill only beat one home in the Supreme Novices' and will have his stamina to prove, though was once placed in a point-to-point. Balko Des Flos finished ahead of another Willie Mullins runner Gangster when fifth in the Albert Bartlett but a line through fourth Barters Hill suggests he has a bit to find with Ballydine, a close second to that one in Grade 2 at Doncaster in January when Ami Desbois was back in third. BAOULET DELAROQUE was never quite getting to the leaders in the Coral Cup last time but this step up in distance should suit, as should the softer ground. The five-year-old is still on an upward curve whereas a few of his rivals may have already peaked. Mystical Knight was sent to Navan last time and beat an odds-on favourite. He already looks a dour stayer and could spring a surprise here if this turns into a slog.
Ami Desbois (FR) 100-1 (11-0) In rear, headway before 4 out to chase leaders, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 9 3/4l behind Barters Hill (11-7) at Doncaster 3m (1) gd in Jan.
Arkwrisht (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, slight mistake 1st and 3rd, towards rear 4th, progress to chase leaders again at 7th, slight mistake 5 out, led before 4 out where slight mistake, slight mistake 3 out, pushed out to assert after 2 out, ridden and kept on run-in, won at Clonmel 2m 6f (1) hvy in Feb beating Westend Star (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Balko Des Flos (FR) 40-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway approaching 6th, chasing leaders 2 out, one pace and no impression last, no extra, 5th of 19, 15 1/2l behind Unowhatimeanharry (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Ballydine (IRE) 28-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, going well and every chance 2 out, ridden before last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Barters Hill (11-7) at Doncaster 3m (1) gd in Jan.
Ballyoptic (IRE) 6-4fav (11-8) Tracked leader, led before 6th, made rest, not fluent 3 out, drew clear after next, well in command when not fluent last, very easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (4) sft in Mar beating Pougne Bobbi (11-8) by 10l, 10 ran.
Baoulet Delaroque (FR) 11-1 (10-8) In touch, outpaced before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on under pressure flat, not reach leaders, 5th of 26, 2 1/4l behind Diamond King (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Bellshill (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, lost place 2 out, soon weakened, 13th of 14, 31 1/2l behind Altior (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Duke Des Champs (IRE) 10-11fav (11-7) Tracked leaders on outside, hit 7th, pushed along in 3rd before 3 out, stayed on to challenge next, one pace last, no impression flat, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Jonniesofa (11-4) at Haydock 2m 7f (1) hvy in Feb.
Gangster (FR) 15-2 (11-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chasing leaders 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 19, 28 1/2l behind Unowhatimeanharry (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Ghost River 100-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, lost place 2 out, soon outpaced, weakened before last, tailed off, 9th of 11, dist behind Yorkhill (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Mar.
Mystical Knight 2-1 (11-0) In touch in rear, closed up 3 out and slight mistake, soon pushed along in 3rd, 2nd after 2 out, challenged last, quickened to lead run-in, stayed on best, won at Navan 2m 7f Soft - Heavy in Mar beating General Principle (11-4) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Potters Legend 14-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway on outside on long run before 2 out, 2nd 2 out, ridden and held before the last, kept on for 2nd, no chance with winner, 2nd of 18, 4l behind Barney Dwan (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Tomngerry (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, close up 7th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, soon challenged, led last, ridden and stayed on well under pressure flat, asserted towards finish, won at Newcastle 2m 6f (3) gs in Feb beating April Dusk (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Vintage Clouds (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Led to 2nd, regained narrow lead after next, ridden after 2 out, headed narrowly last, kept on until no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Jonniesofa (11-4) at Haydock 2m 7f (1) hvy in Feb.
Yala Enki (FR) 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division, lost place when mistake 4th, not recover and pulled up soon after, at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Mar.
Sandymount Duke (IRE) 2-1fav (11-6) Led, ridden and joined when mistake last, soon headed, no extra final 150 yards, 3rd of 6, 10 1/2l behind Penglai Pavilion (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) gd in Oct.
