led, hit and headed 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, weakened between last 2
held up, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, led 3 out, driven out flat, held on towards finish
held up, weakened from 4 out
held up, blundered badly 2nd, ridden and weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 2 out, stayed on towards finish, always held
held up towards rear, badly hampered and unseated rider 2nd
held up mid-division, pushed along halfway, weakened after 4 out
ORKI DES AIGLES gets the nod to land the opener. Alora Money and Dunaskin can scrap it out as the best of the rest. That said, a careful monitoring of any support for Warmaster, who cost 72,000 euros, is also recommended. The last named is bred to get a trip and is at least worth bearing in mind for future reference whatever happens. Alora Money has experience of this stamina sapping course and, having shown improvement to win a maiden here last month, she is definitely going the right way. Her sex allowance means she effectively escapes a penalty today, so Keith Reveley's mare has to merit respect. Dunaskin has raced almost once a month since this time last year and obviously has a good constitution. He has won over 2m 6f over hurdles but will be stepping into the unknown when they bear down on the finish this afternoon. Brian Ellison's gelding is relatively unexposed over timber but he may struggle under a double penalty if this develops into a slog for the line. Therefore, it can pay to take a chance that Ferdy Murphy has Orki Des Aigles fit and bouncing for his seasonal debut. The seven-year-old has gone well fresh in the past and, considering he would be forced into handicap-company if this were over fences; it has to be noteworthy that Murphy has opted for this less competitive route as a starting point for the French-bred.
Dunaskin (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Led, not fluent 7th, headed next, soon regained lead, clear from 2 out, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep beating Bijou Dan (11-12) by 18l, 7 ran.
Alora Money 7-1 (10-7) With leader, outpaced from 7th, headway 2 out, stayed on well to lead flat, won at Carlisle 3m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct beating Only The Best (11-0) by 2l, 11 ran.
Orki Des Aigles (FR) 16-1 (10-6) Always prominent, challenged 3 out, ridden to lead after last, stayed on well towards finish, won at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec beating The Ring (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Royal Mackintosh 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, outpaced 12th, no danger after, 6th of 11, 15l behind Antonius Caesar (11-5) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Seeking Power (IRE) 6-4 (12-0) Bhnd til hdwy 12; stayed on flat; nt rch ldrs, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Commonburn (12-0) at Friars Haugh 3m ptp in Mar.
Warmaster (IRE) Definite Article gelding out of Queen Street.
Whats Up Woody (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Mid div, mod 7th 5out, lft 3rd 4out, 2nd & mstk 2out, so last & ld on line, won at Ballydurn 3m ire ptp in Apr beating Schumpters Lad (11-7) by nk, 13 ran.
Double Diva 100-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders to halfway, 13th of 17, well behind Knockaveen (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f N H flat (6) gd in Oct.
Easter Vic 22-1 (10-4) Mid-division, struggling 6th, took wrong course after bypass 7th, kept on under pressure to chase winner flat (disqualified for taking wrong course), in a race won by Etxalar (10-11) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Mar, 9 ran.
