led until 8th, lost 2nd and mistake 3 out, soon beaten, kept on flat
chased leader, hit 3rd, challenged 6th, led 8th, mistake and headed last, held flat
chased leaders, not always fluent, lost place 5th, well beaten after 9th, tailed off before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
held up in 5th, jumped right, closed 5th, well beaten after 9th
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, went 2nd from 3 out, led last, stayed on well
held up in rear, headway 6th, disputing 2nd 3 out until after 2 out, held in 3rd last, no extra
Duke Of Navan finished well ahead of subsequent Sedgefield winner Return Ticket at Doncaster last month but it’s a long time since he got his head in front and he’s not getting any younger. Theinval was only fifth here on Friday and is another in the veteran stage and Some Reign is only a year younger, though has been lightly raced for his age and he was always travelling best when scoring at Carlisle a couple of weeks ago. If Grand Sancy doesn’t settle any better than at Newbury, Rose Dobbin’s charge could have the race run to suit but KING D’ARGENT (NAP) is a rapidly-improving youngster who really attacks his fences and he could run the finish out of these, despite a step up in grade.
Grand Sancy (FR) 9-4 (11-12) Led, went clear, challenged 5 out, ridden before 3 out, headed before last, no extra, 3rd of 5, 12 1/4l behind Espoir De Teillee (11-7) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
King D'Argent (FR) 11-8fav (11-7) Tracked leader, well clear of remainder when upsides 8th, led 3 out, ridden clear before 2 out where not fluent, careful jump last, pushed out flat, won at Warwick 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar beating Benatar (11-7) by 8 1/2l, 6 ran.
Return Ticket (IRE) 2-5fav (11-10) Led, clear when ridden before last, easily, won at Sedgefield 2m 3f (4) gd in Mar beating Heartbreak Kid (11-0) by dist, 4 ran.
Some Reign (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) In touch, pushed along and headway 3 out, ridden to lead narrowly last, asserted towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m hcp (3) gs in Apr beating Mint Gold (11-3) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Theinval (FR) 12-1 (10-6) Held up, not always fluent, closed 4 out, ridden and beaten before last, 5th of 6, 6 1/4l behind Nietzsche (10-2) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Duke Of Navan (IRE) 18-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, challenged 2 out, no impression when winner asserted flat, 2nd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Getaway Trump (11-12) at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) gd in Mar.
