tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, joined winner last, driven to lead narrowly run in, kept on gamely until headed near finish
always in rear, mistake 2nd, slipped after 6th, tailed off
in touch, not fluent and led 5th, narrowly headed 2 out, led again 2 out, headed run in, rallied gamely to lead near finish
made most to 4th, stayed handy, led 3 out, headed next, weakened before last
tracked leader, led narrowly 4th to next, stayed close up until weakened 4 out
tracked leaders until weakened 4 out
not jump well, always in rear, blundered 4th and 5th, tailed off when blundered 3 out
mistake 1st, behind when blundered and unseated rider 5th
held up, effort 6th, ridden when blundered 8th, soon weakened
towards rear, effort to chase leaders before 3 out, weakened before next
in rear, headway under pressure from 3 out, chased leaders before next, 4th and beaten when mistake last
in touch, ridden after 6th, behind from next
towards rear, kept on under pressure from 3 out, no danger
We take the view here that Azertyuiop can get back to winning ways, his main danger looking to be Isio, Farmer Jack, Native Scout and Killultagh Storm. The Paul Nicholls-trained selection was hugely impressive last season, particularly when landing the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Much as he has failed to score in two starts this season, his second to Moscow Flyer in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown last time out was a high-class effort, particularly given that the race would not have been run to suit him. He remains a genuine Queen Mother Chase contender and we will stay loyal to him. The same trainer runs Young Deveraux, who has high-class form but has had only one run in the last 12 months. Therefor Isio, one of only three horses to get into the handicap proper, looks to be the selections main rival. He was third in last season's Arkle when beaten 12 lengths by Azertyuiop. Today he receives 19lbs so his chance is there for all to see. Farmer Jack was fourth in the Arkle, beaten 15 lengths by the winner, so, now in receipt of 20lbs, is entitled to go well. Irish raiders Native Scout and Killultagh Storm were beaten five and 12 lengths, respectively, by comfortable scorer Moscow Flyer on their latest runs, and a literal reading of that race and the Tingle Creek formlines puts them both firmly in the picture. Of the others, Upgrade likes it here and seemed more like his old self last-time out when just beaten here by Hot Shots; Redemption comes here in very good heart; and Wahiba Sands has a great chance on the best of his form but looks vulnerable to one of the rising stars. Best of these for us - although it wont be easy for him, particularly if the rain gets into the going overnight - is Azertyuiop, who can land Ascot's feature.
