held up in touch, pushed along 9th, headway to chase leaders 5 out, ridden and weakened next
close up, disputing 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 12th
chased leaders, blundered 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on flat
prominent, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened last
made all, shaken up clear approaching last easily
prominent until lost place 6th, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, one pace and no impression from next
always behind, never dangerous
A terrific handicap chase in which Paul Nicholls has a strong hand, running both Le Roi Miguel and My Will, the last named gets the verdict, Seebald and Supreme Developer are also expected to be involved in the finish. My Will has always been well regarded by the yard and was well backed for last season's Arkle even before he has jumped a fence. He took his chance in the race and ran with credit behind Contraband. He is only five years of age and should be capable of more improvement and looks the best option here. Le Roi Miguel has to shoulder top-weight here but has earned it with some impressive performances. He has taken on the best and will be a tough nut to crack this afternoon. Seebald is now a ten-year-old but still capable of landing a top prize and he could go close at a decent price. Supreme Developer looks the pick of the two Ferdy Murphy runners, he is getting plenty of weight from the major players and will relish any cut in the ground. Impek has a fitness advantage over the rest of the field and could prove best of the remainder, but My Will is a youngster going places and is a confident choice.
Le Roi Miguel (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, ridden before 10th, no impression 3 out, one pace, 5th of 9, 15l behind Well Chief (11-10) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr.
Seebald (GER) 40-1 (11-6) Prominent, effort under pressure 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 9, 15l behind Well Chief (11-10) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr.
My Will (FR) 7-2 (11-2) In touch, tracked leader 6th, led 2 out, ridden and hit last, edged right under pressure flat, just held on, won at Perth 3m nov chs (B) sft in Apr beating Joaaci (11-2) by a hd, 6 ran.
Supreme Prince (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) In touch until blundered and fell at the 11th in race won by Liberthine (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar, 22 ran.
Impek (FR) 6-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, ridden to chase winner after 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 13, 11l behind Little Big Horse (10-4) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Sept.
Valley Henry (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up, mistake 6th and 10th, ridden after 11th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Thisthatandtother (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs Grd 2 (A) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Europa 7-2co-fav (11-9) Held up, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, last of 8, 21l behind Full House (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gf.
Supreme Developer (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Mid-division, reminders after 3rd, lost place when mistake 8th, soon behind, 17th of 19, well behind Contraband (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Alam (USA) 12-1 (11-10) Mid-division, ridden and chased leaders approaching 3 out, no impression from next, 4th of 10, 24l behind Torkinking (10-3) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) hvy in Mar.
