tracked leader, every chance from 3 out until after 2 out, no extra run-in
held up in rear, effort 4 out, edged left from 2 out, no impression
chased leaders, went 2nd 5 out, led 2 out, driven out
held up in touch, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened approaching next, pulled up before last
led, headed 2 out, kept on from last
held up in rear, ridden and headway 4 out, outpaced next, stayed on from last, not reach front pair
Not many runners here and with his yard in real good form it could pay to take a chance on Ile De Paris to make the most of a feather weight, while Sharp Belline, Euro American and Vedelle are respected. The selection was nto in bad form when last seen out in the early part of the year and has now been dropped a few pounds, which will help. He relishes cut in the ground and with Richard Lee's runners going well he is likely to be fit to do himself justice. Sharp Belline is 4lb higher than his last win and he handles cut too, but his recent form has not been quite up to the mark and so heis opposed. Euro American was last seen winning here over 2m 4f and races from 1lb lower this time. Cut suits, but he has yet to convince he truly gets this far, so he is passed over. Vedelle scored at Down Royal last Christmas but struggled on his British debut. Although improvement is a clear possibility, he is no good thing here and we will take Ile De Paris to lead them home.
Brooklyn Breeze (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Held up, outpaced 11th, chased leaders 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 7, 20l behind New Alco (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f Grad Ch (2) gd.
Euro American (GER) 7-2 (11-2) Held up, smooth headway 8th, led 2 out, all out, won at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (4) hvy in Mar beating Bougoure (11-2) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Vedelle (IRE) 17-2 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 11th, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 13, 31l behind Principe Azzurro (10-11) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Numero Un de Solzen (FR) 10-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 14th, weakened next, 13th of 16, 45l behind Naunton Brook (11-7) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Sharp Belline (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Led to 1st, chased leader, weakened approaching 11th, last of 5, 20l behind Notanotherdonkey (9-12) at Wetherby 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf.
Ile de Paris (FR) 4-1 (10-4) Tracked leader, led briefly 10th, led again 13th, headed 16th, switched right approaching next, outpaced, kept on moderately, faded flat, 3rd of 6, 20l behind Baron Windrush (10-12) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb.