in touch on outer, pushed along and outpaced 3 out, stayed on one pace thereafter
chased leader, ridden after 4 out but remained prominent, every chance 2 out, weakened before last
handy throughout, pressed leaders 3 out, disputed lead after 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and stayed on stoutly to assert 110 yards out
rear, lost touch from after 5 out
led, headed after 3 out, soon pushed along, mistake and stumbled badly 2 out and unseated rider
prominent, pecked 3 out, disputed lead after 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, every chance last, ridden run-in, stayed on well but headed final 110 yards
Kim Bailey won this last year with the smart Imperial Aura and ESPOIR DE ROMAY (NAP) can follow suit. He appeared to be holding favourite and eventual winner Chantry House when falling two out in a Grade 1 at Aintree in April and the drop back in distance won’t be a problem on this stiff track. Fiddlerontheroof finished tailed off in that Aintree race and has been disappointing overall over fences, though did beat subsequent winner Silver Hallmark at Exeter around this time last year. Informateur and Pay The Piper have some improving to do but Ahoy Senor won a Grade 1 over hurdles in April and it’s interesting he makes his debut over fences in this company.
Silver Hallmark 2-1 (11-0) Made all, not fluent 9th and 2 out, ridden out, won at Haydock 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan beating Marown (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
Espoir De Romay (FR) 17-2 (11-4) Led, kicked on 12th, 1 1/2 lengths up when fell 2 out, at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Fiddlerontheroof (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, not fluent 8th, headway from 10th, outpaced when not fluent 13th, well beaten from 15th, left 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 7, dist behind Chantry House (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Informateur (FR) 5-1 (11-3) Held up just off the pace in 5th, headway tracking leaders 11th, close 2nd before 4 out, led next, 4 lengths ahead when brushed last, stayed on well, won at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Mar beating Thomas Macdonagh (11-4) by 4 1/4l, 7 ran.
Ahoy Senor (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Led, still going well approaching 3 out, clear lead 2 out, jumped last well, won going away, won at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr beating Bravemansgame (11-4) by 7l, 12 ran.
Pay The Piper (IRE) 1-6fav (11-2) Chased sole rival, left alone 1st, jumped well after, won at Wetherby 1m 7f (3) gd in Oct.
