led and clear, mistake 2nd, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on well
mid-division, improved to track leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance entering straight, ran on one-paced, no chance with winner
held up, mistake 3rd, ridden approaching 4 out, one-paced after 2 out
held up, always behind
chased leaders, mistake and unseated rider 5th
mid-division, behind and ridden after 7th, soon tailed off
behind, improved 5th, ridden 3 out, all out when mistake and unseated rider last
held up, ridden after 7th, tailed off
mid-division, improved after 5th, mistake 9th, no extra afterwards
Ichi Beau (IRE) should continue Ferdy Murphy's thriving season. Highly regarded by the West Witton handler, the likeable seven-year-old is already a dual winner over fences this season. He ran arguably his best race to date, however when meeting with defeat at Aintree's Grand National meeting. On that occasion he ran a great race when just over five lengths behind the smart pair Aghawadda Gold and Wahiba Sands. Prior to that display, he had shown his wellbeing when runner-up to the tough Jungli in a decent handicap at Doncaster in January. The dangers include Simply Gifted whose jumping technique needs to improve, and Martin Pipe's Iorana. Another worthy of a mention is Hardi De Chalamont, a dual winner in the French Provinces, who has only his second outing in Britain.