chased leaders, went 2nd 10th, hit 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on winner before last, lost 2nd flat
jumped well, tracked leader, challenged 7th, led 9th, asserting before 2 out, stayed on well
raced in last, not fluent 8th, left 3rd 10th, not fluent 4 out, mistake 3 out, kept on approaching last, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner
led until mistake 9th, stumbled and unseated rider 10th
Paul Nicholls is aiming to win this for a seventh time in 10 years and saddles half the field. Twice a Grade 2 winner for Willie Mullins in Ireland, Real Steel is having a first run for the yard and has nothing in hand of stablemate Black Corton on these terms. Bryony Frost has won eight times on the latter but he’s been beaten in handicaps in his last three runs. IMPERIAL AURA improves with every run and has won in Listed company that last twice. He looks more than ready to try his luck in this grade and is just preferred to Aintree third Itchy Feet.
Real Steel (FR) 50-1 (11-10) Held up in rear on outside, headway 4 out, every chance 2 out, weakened final 150 yards, 6th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Al Boum Photo (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) gs in Mar.
Imperial Aura (IRE) 7-4fav (11-6) Close up, restrained into midfield 7th, headway to press leaders 11th, led narrowly 12th, ridden after 2 out, jumped clear last, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Nov beating Windsor Avenue (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Itchy Feet (FR) 16-5fav (11-9) Held up towards rear on outside, closed before 9th, not fluent and pushed along 4 out, outpaced and hung left after next, rallied 2 out, not fluent last, 3rd and held flat, kept on, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Nuts Well (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Oct.
Black Corton (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4th until after 8th, pushed along and in touch bend before 2 out, no extra before last, lost 3rd flat, 4th of 14, 14 3/4l behind Regal Encore (10-10) at Ascot 3m hcp (1) sft in Oct.
