raced wide, tracked leader, joined leader 6th, led 10th, 4 lengths clear when not fluent 2 out, ridden and ran on
reluctant to line up, whipped round start, refused to race
led, joined 6th, headed 10th, tracked winner until 4 out, weakened 2 out, tired jump next
tracked leaders, pushed along 12th, ridden to press winner next, weakened approaching 2 out
Pic D‘Orhy was only beaten once in five starts last season but that defeat came over course and distance in February when 16 lengths behind today’s rival SHISHKIN. Nicky Henderson’s top-class chaser than went on to finish an unlucky second in the Ryanair at Cheltenham before landing the Aintree Bowl and he should make a winning reappearance if fully wound-up. Minella Drama was beaten seven lengths by Pic D‘Orhy in the Melling Chase at Aintree in April while Straw Fan Jack’s best form is over shorter trips but he’ll pick up some decent prize money if he completes.
Pic D'Orhy (FR) 4-1 (11-10) Led until not fluent 1st, chased leader, challenged 3 out, led before last, clear flat, ridden out, won at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr beating Fakir D'Oudairies (11-10) by 4 1/4l, 7 ran.
Shishkin (IRE) 7-4fav (11-10) Chased leaders, not fluent 5th, went 2nd 11th until before 4 out, went 2nd again 3 out, driven and 6 lengths down after 2 out, closed last, led flat, stayed on well, won at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr beating Ahoy Senor (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Minella Drama (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Close up, led 8th, pushed along bypassing usual 2 out, soon ridden, headed run-in, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Jetoile (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Oct.
Straw Fan Jack 28-1 (11-7) Held up in last pair, niggled along briefly 6th, effort after 12th, outpaced before 3 out, blundered 2 out, well held before last, went 4th flat, 4th of 5, 12 1/4l behind Banbridge (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
