led, hit 5 out and headed, tracked leader, regained lead 2 out, ridden and drew clear from last, readily
in touch, went prominent before 8th, not fluent 9th, outpaced 4 out, weakened before 2 out
tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
prominent, dropped to 4th before 8th, tracked leaders next, led after 5 out, pushed along and headed 2 out, stayed on, well held from last
This Listed event was switched to Aintree last year and was won by Zambella. She reversed earlier running with runner-up Annie Mc on that occasion though the latter hasn’t raced since. Maid O'Malley has a stiff task at the weights on her reappearance but RIVIERE D’ETEL will take the beating. Gordon Elliott’s mare separated higher rated horses when runner-up in the Grade 2 Fortria Chase at Navan on her return to action and a similar effort here should see her go one better.
Zambella (FR) 9-4fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led next, headed 2 out, not fluent last, held flat, 2nd of 6, 4 3/4l behind Fantastic Lady (11-2) at Market Rasen 3m lst fll (1) gs in Nov.
Riviere D'etel (FR) 10-11fav (11-0) Led early, jumped right, tracked leader and 2nd halfway, pushed along after 4 out, mistake 2 out, soon ridden and no impression approaching last, kept on well run-in, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Captain Guinness (11-10) at Navan 2m (1) Yielding in Nov.
Annie Mc (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Prominent throughout, chased winner and ridden before last, stayed on well but always held, 2nd of 4, 4 3/4l behind Zambella (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f lst (1) sft in Dec.
Maid O'Malley 7-2jfav (11-4) Prominent, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, soon well beaten, 5th of 9, 21l behind Midnightreferendum (11-3) at Haydock 2m 6f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
