held up in 3rd, closer approaching 4 out, effort on outside before 2 out, outpaced between last 2, weakened
raced keenly, held up last, good headway on inside after 3 out, 2nd before next, led going well between last 2, went left last, clear run-in, weakened and headed last 120 yards
led, went clear 3 out, jumped left next, headed between last 2, looked held run-in, stayed on strongly to lead again final 120 yards, soon clear
chased leader, pushed along when hit 3 out, lost 2nd before next, outpaced soon after, kept on in 3rd
NonRunner
NonRunner
Chasing a seventh successive victory, leading stayer PAISLEY PARK is impossible to oppose as he bids to land this for a second year running. Things rather fell into his lap 12 months ago, when Agrapart finished last, but he’s gone on to show himself to be without equal over 3m since. He had to be pushed out to hold Thistlecrack on his comeback in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury but Wetherby winner The Worlds End was a well-beaten third. The latter was also behind when L'Ami Serge was second in this two years ago but the Henderson runner hasn’t raced since May of last year and has never been easy to predict. Tobefair is more straightforward and a prolific winner but is tried in this grade late in life. The mare Papagana has more to do than when scoring at Kempton but should help ensure there is a decent pace.
Agrapart (FR) (10-5) 4th of 7, 12 1/4l behind Paul's Saga (10-3) at Auteuil 2m 5f hvy in Nov.
L'Ami Serge (IRE) (10-10) 7th of 13, 26 1/2l behind De Bon Coeur (10-1) at Auteuil 3m 1f (1) gd in May.
The Worlds End (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Led and set decent pace, joined 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed next, headed before the last, weakened run-in, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Paisley Park (11-6) at Newbury 3m (1) gs in Nov.
Papagana 9-2 (11-0) Led until narrowly headed 7th, pressed leader, in front again 4 out, clear when awkward 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 3m lst (1) gs in Nov beating Culture De Sivola (10-12) by 9l, 6 ran.
Paisley Park (IRE) 8-15fav (11-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd until 7th, handy 4th, challenged on outside 3 out, led before last, shaken up always doing enough run-in, won at Newbury 3m (1) gs in Nov beating Thistlecrack (11-0) by 1l, 5 ran.
Tobefair 11-2 (11-12) Held up in touch on outside, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, took narrow 3rd near finish, no impression, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Golan Fortune (10-7) at Cheltenham 3m hcp lst (1) sft in Nov.
