led, jumped left 4 out, headed 3 out, ridden and every chance last until just held post
prominent, pecked 2nd, took closer order 8th, challenged 4 out, led 3 out, hard pressed from last, soon ridden, just held on post
held up in touch, went 3rd from 2 out, every chance last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders early, in rear and in touch, ridden and one pace from last
with leader, ridden before last, kept on towards finish
Rated 140 over hurdles, Shades Of Midnight looks the type to do well on the northern circuit over fences. But Paul Nicholls has probably found a good opportunity for BRIO CONTI (NAP) to make an immediate impact over the larger obstacles. The grey won over timber at Doncaster and Kempton at the start of the year before coming up against Finian's Oscar in a Grade 1 at Aintree in April. Progress Drive is a promising stayer while Alzammaar was also useful over hurdles so warrants a market check.
Alzammaar (USA) 25-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, not fluent 6th, mistake 8th, last and struggling 3 out, 19th of 24, 32 1/2l behind Presenting Percy (11-11) at Cheltenham 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Mar.
Brio Conti (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden after 2 out, 4th and beaten when reached at last, one pace flat, 5th of 13, 8 3/4l behind Finian's Oscar (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr.
Progress Drive (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Chased leaders in 4th, not fluent and reminders after 3rd, mistake 7th, lost place when mistake 4 out, soon behind and struggling, tailed off 2 out, last of 5, dist behind Gayebury (11-8) at Perth 3m lst (1) gd in Apr.
Shades Of Midnight 5-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Mar.
Winter Lion (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, jumped big at 2nd, lost position and pushed along 6th, no impression from 4 out, 8th of 10, 19 1/4l behind Ben Button (10-12) at Sligo 2m 4f hcp gd in Aug.
Chateau Chinon (FR) 50-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, effort before 2 out, never dangerous, 8th of 15, 15l behind So Celebre (10-8) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gs in Mar.