tracked leaders, progress to press for 2nd after 4 out, wide before 3 out, weakened 2 out, eased, not fluent last
held up towards rear on inside, took keen hold, jumped right at times, not fluent 6th, hampered on bend before 3 out, tried to close when switched right before 2 out, no impression, well beaten before last
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, headway from 6th, chase winner before 2 out, no impression last, kept on for clear 2nd
tracked leaders on outside, lost place 4th, slow next, behind 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, headway 3 out, 4th 2 out, pressing for 3rd last, no impression on front pair, no extra and lost 4th close home
led, headed before 6th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, challenged 5th, led before next, clear last, ridden and stayed on strongly flat, comfortably
held up towards rear, headway when not much room on bend before 3 out, not fluent at 3 out, soon ridden, 3rd when not fluent 2 out, soon beaten, one pace
held up in rear, still 9th 2 out, headway approaching last, kept on under pressure flat, went 4th close home, never on terms
tracked leaders on inside, ridden and no impression from 3 out, weakened next
APPLE’S SHAKIRA lost her unbeaten record when favourite for last month’s Triumph Hurdle and this will be her first run away from Cheltenham since joining Nicky Henderson. But a pair of blinkers may help the filly settle better today and she can recoup losses. We Have A Dream by-passed Cheltenham and remains unbeaten in this country. The selection’s stablemate is clearly a threat but collateral form suggests he has a bit to find. Malaya was impressive off top weight in a handicap at Ascot last time but she was beaten by Gumball back in the autumn and was easily beaten in a Grade 2 at Kempton in February when Beau Gosse was a further 10 lengths adrift. Nube Negra finished third in the Fred Winter and is 3lb better off with fourth Padleyourowncanoe but was no match for the selection in December.
Beau Gosse (FR) 4-1 (11-3) Held up in main group, not fluent 3rd, lost place 4 out, ridden to chase leaders before 2 out, stayed on to take modest 3rd flat, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Redicean (11-1) at Kempton 2m (1) gd in Feb.
Et Moi Alors (FR) 1-2fav (10-7) Held up last, slightly outpaced and nudged along approaching 3rd, 3rd and closed after 3 out, 2nd on long run before next, over 1 length down when went right last, weakened run-in, 2nd of 4, 2 3/4l behind Notre Ami (11-2) at Sandown 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Gumball (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on inside, driven and lost place after 2 out, soon weakened and eased, pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Mar.
Les Arceaux (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no impression before straight, 4th 2 out, soon no extra, 4th of 14, 32l behind Saldier (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m mdn hvy in Feb.
Nube Negra (SPA) 15-2fav (11-6) Mid-division, headway before 4th, led after 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no impression on winner flat, kept on, lost 2nd final 75 yards, 3rd of 22, 4l behind Veneer Of Charm (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Padleyourowncanoe 33-1 (11-3) In touch on outside, hit 3 out, disputing 6th on last bend, went 4th and stayed on flat, 4th of 22, 6 3/4l behind Veneer Of Charm (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
We Have A Dream (FR) 1-5fav (11-5) Made virtually all, joined 3 out, driven before next, 2 lengths clear last, in command flat, ridden out, won at Musselburgh 2m lst (1) sft in Feb beating Act Of Valour (11-3) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Apple's Shakira (FR) 6-5fav (10-7) Travelled well, tracked leaders, close up after 3 out, shaken up in 3rd turning in, ridden and not quicken between last 2, 5th and held when left 4th at last, kept on but no threat after, 4th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Farclas (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Mar.
Cristal Icon (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Slight mistake 1st, soon chased leaders in 4th, improved to lead before 2 out, soon asserted and clear, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Cork 2m mdn fll Soft - Heavy in Mar beating Azua Emery (11-0) by 17l, 8 ran.
Malaya (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leader who soon went clear, closed going well after 3 out, upsides next, led before last, shaken up and came clear run-in, won at Ascot 2m hcp (2) sft in Mar beating Eragon De Chanay (11-7) by 3 3/4l, 9 ran.
