made most until ridden 5 out, weakened 3 out, tailed off
jumped right at times, tracked leaders, led 5 out, ridden 2 out, soon asserted, driven out
close up, ridden to chase winner 4 out, outpaced approaching 2 out, tailed off
held up, reminders 10th, outpaced next, pulled up 4 out
tracked leader, pushed along 6 out, ridden and weakened 3 out, pulled up last
close up, ridden 3 out, chased leaders approaching next, not trouble leaders
jumped right at times, in rear, headway 3 out, ridden and soon chased winner, held final 2
NonRunner
Mr Medic won last year’s renewal on his return to action and attempts the same feat off a 5lb higher mark. He beat Flying Angel on that occasion and the latter re-opposes on better terms but another chance goes to SKY PIRATE. The latter was just getting into the race when falling four fences from home at Wetherby on his return and is fancied to go close and reverse latest running with runner-up Kayf Blanco if staying on his feet. The Kings Writ also has a shout if at his best on his reappearance having gone close at Sandown when last in action in March while Didero Vallis can race off a winning mark on his reappearance if a conditional’s allowance is taken into account.
Mercian Prince (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 3 out (usual 4 out), weakened on long run before 2 out, soon pulled up, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Flying Angel (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) Held up in 4th place on inside, jumped slowly 7th, outpaced 10th (normal 4 out), plugged on extended run-in, almost snatched remote 3rd, 4th of 5, 15 1/4l behind Forest Bihan (10-4) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Oct.
Mr Medic 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit 4th, blundered badly 7th, slow and lost place 9th, mistake 4 out, well behind next, pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Dell Oro (FR) 5-4 (11-12) Led until 9th, weakened before 4 out, last of 3, dist behind Valseur Du Granval (10-7) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Didero Vallis (FR) 16-1 (10-5) Tracked winner, driven after 3 out, lost place after next, soon ridden, no impression between last 2, 5th of 22, 11 1/2l behind Siruh Du Lac (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
The Kings Writ (IRE) 13-8fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, rallied under pressure into 2 lengths 2nd at the last, driven and every chance run-in, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Duke Des Champs (11-10) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Sky Pirate 9-4jfav (11-3) Held up in rear, hampered 2nd, headway from 8th, 2 lengths 2nd when fell 4 out, at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Kayf Blanco 8-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, hampered 2nd, headway after 12th, left 2nd when hampered 4 out, not fluent 2 out, no impression last, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Crievehill (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
