A DISTANT PLACE landed the odds when beating a subsequent winner at Hereford and is fancied to give the weight away to Pilgrims King, placed twice in bumpers, and the former pointers Scipion and Harry Du Berlais. Court At Slip is a possible improver but Tim Pat is proving disappointing. Lounge Lizard showed some promise in an Aintree maiden, however, and will know more today.
A Distant Place (IRE) 8-15fav (11-4) Chased leader, not fluent 2nd, led final bend, drew clear flat, comfortably, won at Hereford 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Nov beating Chanceux (11-4) by 5l, 7 ran.
Everyday Champagne (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Not fluent in rear, ridden before 3 out, no extra, 6th of 11, 23 1/4l behind Kayf Hernando (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct.
Pilgrims King (IRE) 85-40fav (11-2) Held up on inside, switched right and closed from over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, held but stayed on, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Brief Times (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m (5) gs in May.
Scipion (IRE) (12-2) Pr in main group, 40l 5th 1/2way, clsr in 3rd aftr 4out, jnd ldr when left ld 2out, hdd 50 yards out, no ex, 2nd of 15, shd behind Minella Crooner (12-2) at Cork 3m gd in Apr.
Tim Pat (IRE) 18-5 (10-12) Contested lead, headed 3 out, pushed approaching 2 out, weakened and beat when ridden turning for home, 9th of 13, 29 1/2l behind Captain Quint (10-12) at Hexham 2m (4) gs in Nov.
A Day In Donostia (IRE) 80-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 6th of 8, dist behind Bellaney Gem (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gd in Apr.
Court At Slip (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Mid-division, dropped to rear before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, always behind, 5th of 7, 18 3/4l behind Mister Whitaker (10-12) at Kelso 2m 7f (4) gs in Nov.
Harry Du Berlais (IRE) (11-11) Ld/disp 2nd & jw, wo aftr 8th, 1l adv bef 4out, chall brfly 3out, qckly went clr bef 2out, 12l adv last, easily, won at Dawstown 3m mdn gs in May beating Boys Of Wexford (11-6) by 10l, 8 ran.
Lounge Lizard 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, 4th and edged left before last, no impression on leaders, 4th of 12, 23 1/4l behind Gelino Bello (11-2) at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Wotsmyname (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Not always fluent towards rear, well beaten 9th 3 out, 9th of 11, 26 1/4l behind Soft Risk (10-12) at Ayr 2m (4) gs in Nov.
