in rear, in touch, chased front rank after 2 out, ridden and weakened approaching last
towards rear, not fluent 4th, ridden 2 out, kept on into 3rd before last, stayed on strongly run-in, not reach winner
raced keenly in mid-division, pressed leaders 2 out, went 2nd going ok home turn, ridden and weakened before last
led, headed 3 out, led again before 2 out, headed after 2 out and weakened quickly, tailed off
handy, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, regained lead after 2 out, soon pressed and ridden, headed narrowly before last, stayed on grimly to rally and lead again 1f out on run-in, pressed close home, held on gamely (hand time)
in rear, went 3rd 2nd flight, pressed leader after 2 out, led narrowly going well before last, soon ridden, headed 1f out on run-in, kept on well, no extra close home
prominent, steadied into mid-division after 2nd, in rear before 6th, ridden and headway after 2 out, chased front pair before last, kept on on one pace
Sceau Royal seeks a 17th career victory and ran another fine race in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle two weeks ago having won a Grade 2 earlier at Wincanton, though he was only fourth in this last year behind Song For Someone. The latter reappeared with a second behind the much-vaunted Buzz, who was receiving 6lb, in the Ascot Hurdle when Guard Your Dreams was only third and has solid claims of a repeat victory. Wilde About Oscar still has a bit to prove at this level and Hunters Call is only a handicapper while Ballyadam’s future lies over fences. Paul Hennessy doesn’t waste many journeys here and his mare HEAVEN HELP US won the Coral Cup at The Festival in March. She was stopped in her tracks by a blunder on her reappearance at Punchestown and will strip fitter today.
Sceau Royal (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Held up, closed 4th, not much room before 2 out, every chance flat, driven flat, 3rd and no extra towards finish, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Not So Sleepy (11-7) at Newcastle 2m (1) gs in Nov.
Song For Someone (GER) 10-1 (11-6) Led, ridden 2 out, headed before last, kept on run in, no match for winner, 2nd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Buzz (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f (1) gd in Nov.
Ballyadam (IRE) Evensfav (12-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 1st, 4th and mistake 4 out, headway into 2nd travelling well 3 out, led before 2 out, strongly pressed and joined when mistake and left in front 2 out, headed before last, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Buddy Rich (12-0) at Navan 2m 1f gd in Nov.
Wilde About Oscar (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up behind leaders on inside, closed from 2 out, went 2nd when jumped left and awkward last, no chance with winner, lost 2nd flat, weakened final 100 yards, last of 6, 10 3/4l behind Brewin'upastorm (11-6) at Aintree 2m 4f (2) gs in Nov.
Guard Your Dreams 7-2 (11-0) Towards rear, asked for effort 2 out, headway when switched right before last, no extra and drifted right run in, 3rd of 5, 5 1/2l behind Buzz (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f (1) gd in Nov.
Hunters Call (IRE) 15-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, headway approaching 2 out, led soon after, pushed clear last, ran on, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Nov beating Llandinabo Lad (11-12) by 9l, 12 ran.
Heaven Help Us (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Prominent, soon raced in 2nd, bad mistake 2 out and lost place, no impression and one pace after, 6th of 8, 13l behind Dysart Diamond (11-1) at Punchestown 2m 2f lst (1) Good - Yielding in Nov.
