led to 4th, chased leader, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, led before 4th, took keen hold, headed last, kept on
tracked leaders and keen, mistake 3 out, weakened before last
behind, lost place after 4 out
held up in touch, pushed along after 4out, soon outpaced
held up towards rear, headway to go 2nd before 3 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, led last, kept on well
held up in touch, weakened before 2 out
NonRunner
Paul Nicholls has won this twice in the last four years and three times since 2007 so Alcala has to go on the short-list, especially if Two Taffs gives the form of his Sandown third a boost in the previous race. But it's significant that Dan Skelton thinks that maiden winner OLDGRANGEWOOD is ready for a step up in grade and the five-year-old can record a second success at the track. Impulsive American has had a very busy first season over hurdles while Market Rasen specialist Oh Land Abloom prefers faster ground. Amuse Me hasn't raced since completing a hat-trick at Sedgefield in October but Knocklayde Sno Cat could go well off a low weight and is preferred to stable companion Now This Is It, fellow veteran Humbie and Nathans Pride.
Oh Land Abloom (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, hit 3 out, soon hard driven, weakened approaching next, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind San Telm (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Alcala (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway before 2 out, driven between last two, kept on run-in, took 3rd post, nearest finish, 3rd of 18, 4 1/2l behind Barney Dwan (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Nathans Pride (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 4th, chased leaders next, effort 3 out, never on terms, 4th of 9, 24l behind Karinga Dancer (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Now This Is It (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Close up, hit 5th and 8th, effort to press leaders 3 out, weakened last, 5th of 6, 19 3/4l behind Western Way (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Amuse Me 2-1fav (12-1) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out to chase leaders, led before 2 out, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Perseid (11-4) by 6l, 10 ran.
Oldgrangewood 1-6fav (11-2) Tracked leader, led after 4 out, pressed next, driven 2 out, ridden out flat, kept on, won at Ayr 2m mdn (5) sft in Feb beating Craiganboy (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Impulsive American 8-1 (10-10) Held up well off the pace in rear, pushed along after 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went modest 4th run-in, dropped to 5th towards finish, 6th of 9, 14 3/4l behind Adrien Du Pont (11-12) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Knocklayde Sno Cat (IRE) 9-2 (10-3) Soon tracked leaders, in 3rd when fell 3 out, at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Humbie (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Held up behind, badly hampered 5 out, not recover, never able to challenge, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Five In A Row (11-7) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb.