held up, 3rd from 8th, went 2nd behind clear winner 4 out, no impression and ridden after 3 out, weakened into 3rd before last, lost 3rd flat
tracked leader, led 3rd, clear next, unchallenged after, hacked up
led until 3rd, chased winner who was soon well clear, not fluent 12th, lost 2nd 4 out, well held after, went 2nd again before last
in rear, not fluent 11th, ridden after 15th, well beaten 4 out, went 3rd flat
chased leaders on outside, not fluent 6th, lost place 8th, struggling 12th, weakened next, well behind when jumped right 14th, tailed off
Vintage Vinnie is still 9lb higher than when winning a Listed handicap at Market Rasen in September but ran in the Grand Sefton and the Topham over the National fences here last season and was a fair fifth in a hot contest at Punchestown in April. Buachaill Alainn is a thorough stayer and has never won off a mark this high while neither last year’s winner Mia's Anthem nor Union Jack D'ycy have been in the best of form lately. But CHAMPAGNE AT TARA was third at Haydock last month and looks ready for the step up to 3m - he can record a quick double for connections.
Champagne At Tara 15-2 (11-7) Held up, not fluent 10th, closed next, not much room 3 out, driven after 2 out, 3rd last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Hammersly Lake (11-11) at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in May.
Vintage Vinnie (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Mid-division, 8th 5 out, ridden in 4th after 3 out, no impression, 5th of 14, 13l behind Sizing Granite (11-1) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Buachaill Alainn (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, lost place 8th, ridden after 11th, well behind 3 out, stayed on final 200 yards, no chance, 5th of 9, 16 1/4l behind Silver Man (11-6) at Cartmel 3m 5f hcp (3) sft in May.
Mia's Anthem (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression 3 out, soon no extra, last of 6, 21 3/4l behind Curragh Golan (10-13) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp gd in May.
Union Jack D'ycy (FR) 40-1 (11-2) Mid-division, pushed along after 9th, weakened 12th, lost touch 14th, tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Super Scorpion (11-2) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) gd in Jun.
