led, hit 4th and headed, soon led again, hit next, clear 8th until before 3 out, headed 2 out, 3rd and weakening when hit last
held up towards rear, hit 5th, shaken up after 4 out, no progress, well beaten 3 out
chased leaders on outside, lost place 5th, struggling 7th, well beaten after next, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, mistake next, struggling 8th, well behind 13th 3 out, stayed on past beaten horses from next but never a chance
behind, hit 8th, blundered 4 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, headway from 4 out, ridden to chase winner and edged left after 2 out, closed last, stayed on but unable to challenge
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, lost place after 4 out, pulled up when well beaten before 2 out
mid-division on outside, pushed along and struggling after 8th, well beaten when jumped left 4 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, headway after 8th, chasing leaders 3 out, weakened before last
held up in rear, hit 6th, blundered next, headway on inside 4 out, chasing leaders 3 out, 4th and weakening before last
pressed leader, led 4th, soon headed, hit 7th, 7th and weakening 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, not fluent 1st, headway after 8th, lost place after 4 out, well beaten next
held up in mid-division, headway after 8th, chasing leaders 3 out, 6th and fading when blundered badly 2 out, soon pulled up
held up towards rear, 8th 3 out, never threatened
chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led still travelling well enough 2 out, ridden, edged left and went clear, reduced lead last but stayed on well and never looked liked being caught flat
held up in rear, some headway on outside when blundered 8th, soon struggling, well beaten 3 out
Less than a length separated Gino Trail and THEINVAL when they were second and fourth behind Le Prezien in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham. The latter is fractionally better off at weight and, having been hampered at a crucial stage, can reverse running and grab a much-deserved first victory since the end of 2016. King's Socks travelled strongly for a long way in a Grade 2 handicap at Cheltenham but failed to quicken in the closing stages. He races off the same mark but dropping back in trip might not be the answer, though this is always run at a good pace. That is certain suit the enigmatic Overtown Express, who is reunited with regular pilot Noel Fehily. Bun Doran enjoys a big turnaround in the weights to when the pair clashed at Cheltenham in December and that form also brings Bentelimar into the equation. Tommy Silver is a useful novice from a powerful yard so can’t be ignored.
Gino Trail (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Led, clear 8th to before 3 out, ridden between last 2, headed after last, readily outpaced by winner flat, just held on for 2nd near finish, 2nd of 22, 4 1/2l behind Le Prezien (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Overtown Express (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, not clear run on inside before 3 out, soon switched right, headway 2 out, mistake last, never on terms, 5th of 11, 8 1/4l behind Clyne (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Mar.
Tommy Silver (FR) 2-9fav (11-4) Shaded keen, tracked leader pair, switched left over 2f out, soon 2nd, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, always just held, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Sir Ivan (11-4) at Kempton 2m 2f (4) pol in Mar.
Sizing Platinum (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and one pace when blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 12th of 22, 34 1/2l behind Le Prezien (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Wisty (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Led to 3rd, tracked leader, blundered 7th, mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 20 3/4l behind Forest Bihan (11-12) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Theinval (FR) 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, travelled well in 4th after 3 out, ridden and one pace between last 2, kept on but always held from last, 4th of 22, 5 1/4l behind Le Prezien (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Robinshill (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Not jump well, last from 3rd, tailed off 9th, last of 5, dist behind Footpad (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m (1) hvy in Mar.
King's Socks (FR) 7-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway to tracked leaders before 4 out, every chance when hit 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression from last, 5th of 22, 8 1/2l behind The Storyteller (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Bun Doran (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, jumped slowly 7th, good headway chasing leaders before 3 out, challenged on 3rd 3 out, close 2nd next, jumped right last, outpaced run-in, 3rd of 10, 3 3/4l behind Cepage (11-9) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Doitforthevillage (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Behind, hampered 2nd, struggling 4 out, some late headway when blundered 2 out, soon ridden, kept on, not pace to threaten leaders, 6th of 22, 15 3/4l behind Le Prezien (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Theflyingportrait (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Tracked winner, lost place 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened last, 9th of 15, 29l behind Foxtail Hill (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Vosne Romanee 12-1 (11-4) Chased leaders on inside, effort 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 7l behind Chesterfield (11-4) at Kempton 2m (4) pol in Mar.
Baby King (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) Held up in 4th, hampered and left 3rd at the 3rd, weakened 4 out, 5th of 6, 36 1/4l behind Tornado In Milan (10-5) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Noche De Reyes (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Held up mid-division, fell 6 out, at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Bentelimar (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 10, 23 3/4l behind Cepage (11-9) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Savello (IRE) 22-1 (11-10) Steadied rear and took keen hold, headway 6th, close enough on outside when mistake and weakened 4 out, poor 7th when pulled up before 2 out, at Hereford 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
