tracked leaders, outpaced before 4 out, soon behind, weakened before next, tailed off
with leaders, led narrowly 3rd to 5th, tracked leaders, switched outside before 12th, outpaced 4 out, modest 4th next, no chance with leaders after, weakened before last
in touch on outside, led 5th, headed narrowly 4 out, one pace when mistake 2 out, no chance with winner after, held on for 2nd flat
held up in touch, hit 9th, lost place when hampered 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
tracked leaders, fell 5th
held up in touch in rear, headway before 4 out, chased leading pair before next, one pace 2 out, ridden and stayed on to press for 2nd flat, no chance with winner
not fluent 1st, held up in touch, fell 13th
always prominent, led narrowly 4 out, drew clear after 2 out, unchallenged after, stayed on well, impressive
led narrowly to 3rd, remained prominent, lost place before 4 out, soon beaten, stayed on to take modest 4th before last, no chance with leaders
The Queen's Close Touch, Rawnaq and Wakanda all appear to have a lot to find to figure in this but Cheltenham winner Irish Cavalier is worth a try in this higher grade. Ainsi Fideles has been cleverly placed to win seven of his eight starts over fences but this is easily the five-year-olds toughest task to date while Carole's Destrier and Carraig Mor didn't have much to beat last time. SAPHIR DU RHEU was put back over hurdles after failing to finish in two of his first three starts over fences. However, his trainer has always believed he'll go to the top over the larger obstacles and he has the class to rout these if putting in a clear round. Stablemate Irish Saint was a fair fourth over 2m4f at Cheltenham but may have stamina limitations over this trip.
Ainsi Fideles (FR) 1-20fav (11-8) Made all, won in a canter, won at Fakenham 3m nov chs (3) gd in Mar beating Flichity (11-5) by 8l, 2 ran.
Carole's Destrier 8-13fav (11-12) Tracked leader, led 4 out, kept on well, won at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs (4) gd in Mar beating Wolf Shield (11-12) by 5l, 3 ran.
Carraig Mor (IRE) Evensfav (11-3) Jumped soundly, raced keenly, made all, travelling well in 1 length lead when left well clear 4 out, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs in Mar beating Leo Luna (11-8) by 41l, 4 ran.
Close Touch 2-5fav (11-7) Tracked winner after 1st until 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 5, 14l behind Stopped Out (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov chs (3) sft in Feb.
Irish Cavalier (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Mid-division on inside, headway 3 out, switched outside and in touch next, ridden to lead flat, kept on, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f Listed nov hcap ch (1) gs in Mar beating Thomas Crapper (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 20 ran.
Irish Saint (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Pressed winner, mistake 4 out, lost place after next, one pace in 4th 2 out, soon ridden, no impression after, 4th of 8, 19l behind Vautour (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Rawnaq (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden after 3 out, every chance when mistake last, soon lost 2nd, kept on same pace towards finish, 3rd of 23, 2 3/4l behind Darna (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Saphir Du Rheu (FR) 5-1fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, driven after 2 out, soon ridden, went 2nd and 3 lengths down approaching last, kept on same pace under pressure flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Cole Harden (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Wakanda (IRE) 1-3fav (11-7) Led, mistake and headed 12th, pressed from 4 out, headed last, rallied and upsides winner run-in, held towards finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind Voyage A New York (10-13) at Newcastle 3m nov chs (2) gs in Feb.
