tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, outpaced and lost ground before 4 out, fell 3 out
held up, made headway and travelled strongly before 3 out, mistake 2 out, outpaced and kept on after last, not reach leaders
tracked leader, joined leader at 2 out, ridden and every chance after final fence, not reach winner
held up, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, kept on after 2 out, not reach leaders
made all, mistake at 5th fence, ridden and joined at 2 out, jumped last well and went clear, won going away
MIDNIGHT RIVER makes his chasing debut after winning three of his six starts last season. He also finished a close fourth in a Warwick Grade 2 and was in touch when falling in an Aintree Grade 1 on his final start. Emir Sacree was placed six times over fences in France before making a successful debut for Nicky Henderson over timber. He found 3m and Grade 2 company too much for him at Doncaster but Notre Pari showed improvement over fences at Uttoxeter and there should be more to come. The latter’s stable companion I K Brunel was only beaten a short-head on his chasing debut at Fontwell while Irish import Thatsy made a promising start for new connections at Cartmel in May.
Midnight River 4-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, smooth progress before 4 out, pushed along to challenge when fell 3 out, at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
I K Brunel 10-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, hit 2nd, mistake 5th, modest 8th 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, dist behind Agrapart (11-12) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Notre Pari (IRE) 11-4 (11-8) Towards rear, not fluent 9th, travelling well 4 out, outpaced when ridden after 3 out, stayed on after the last, 3rd of 6, 3 3/4l behind Oski (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Thatsy (FR) 3-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, challenged 4 out, lost 2nd final bend, kept on and went 2nd again towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Fugitives Drift (11-4) at Cartmel 2m 1f (4) gd in May.
Emir Sacree (FR) 8-1 (10-12) On his toes, raced keenly, led until headed 3 out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened quickly before next, 6th of 12, dist behind The Cob (10-12) at Doncaster 3m (1) sft in Jan.
