held up in rear, headway when hit 4 out, led approaching last, driven out
in touch, chased leader 9th, challenged 5 out, led approaching 4 out, headed when hit last, one pace
led, blundered 5th, headed next, remained close up, weakened 11th, fell last
chased leader, led 6th, headed approaching 4 out, weakened next
in touch, chased leaders approaching 9th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 10th
chased leaders, weakened 3 out
held up, ridden and outpaced from 10th
behind, struggling halfway, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Dear Villez gets the vote provided he is none the worse for his tumble in the Jewson at the Cheltenham festival. Prominent in the betting for the Jewson, it is noteworthy that Ruby Walsh selected Dear Villez ahead of other possible mounts in that contest. Prior to the Jewson, he impressed in landing two weak events contests and lack of match practise in more competitive contests is likely to have contributed to his fall last time. He appears versatile with regard to ground conditions and open to further improvement is selected. Last years winner, Three Mirrors beat all bar Oedipe at Aintree when ridden to get the trip which was the unknown. Back to a distance where he can be ridden more prominently he commands respect as does Edmo Yewkay who won last time despite the inadequate trip. He has had a busy season though and is likely to find one or two too good. Endless Power has got a 15lb hike for landing a conditional jockeys contest at Aintree when making all and benefiting from a decimated field. Dear Villez looked a horse of some potential and hopefully that fall at Jewson will not have effected his confidence. He could prove too classy for these.
Three Mirrors 25-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, chasing leaders when mistake 4 out, chased winner from 2 out, stayed on from last, always held, 2nd of 17, 4l behind Oedipe (10-4) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd.
Dear Villez (FR) 15-2 (11-1) Towards rear, mistake 1st, hampered and unseated rider at the 8th in race won by Finger Onthe Pulse (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hcp chs (1) gs in Mar, 20 ran.
Lucifer Bleu (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 3rd, ridden and headed 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 14, 21l behind Caribou (11-4) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Mar.
Endless Power (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Made all, clear 2 out, stayed on well, won at Aintree 2m 4f amt nov hcp chs (2) gd beating Brave Rebellion (11-3) by 25l, 15 ran.
Edmo Yewkay (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, hit 3rd, went 2nd after 8th, challenged last, hard driven flat to lead last strides, won at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Mar beating Ela Re (10-13) by a nk, 8 ran.
Lysander (GER) 10-3 (10-11) Held up, headway 9th, led briefly after 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on to lead last, drew clear flat, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Mar beating Sparkling Taff (10-3) by 9l, 7 ran.
Coach Lane 15-8 (11-5) Held up 4th, left 3rd 2nd, went 2nd 7th, closed on leader approaching 4 out, led and hit 3 out, left well clear last, won at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar beating Azulejo (11-12) by a distance, 4 ran.
Jimmy Bond 9-2 (11-12) Held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 8th, challenged 3 out, led approaching next, driven out, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar beating Corlande (11-1) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Another Native (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up, mistake 7th, headway next, ridden to dispute 2nd after 3 out, weakened last, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Sou'wester (11-2) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Mar.
