in touch, pushed along after 4 out, one pace 2 out, went 3rd and ridden after last, kept on, not reach front pair
mid-division, behind when jumped slowly 14th (water), tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division on outside, headway 4th, led next, driven and headed 2 out, weakened after last
always towards rear, pulled up after 8th
led 2nd to 5th, remained prominent, driven after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression
held up, always towards rear, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division on outside 4th, close up 9th, effort after 3 out, led last, clear when edged left flat, ridden out, held on towards finish
in touch, outpaced 3 out, never able to get on terms
towards rear of mid-division, behind from 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never threatened leaders
mid-division, mistake 4th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
always behind, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
always behind, weakened 3 out, hampered last, tailed off
mid-division, headway when hit 12th, every chance when mistake 3 out, outpaced next, weakened last
mid-division, headway 16th, driven and outpaced after 3 out, never reached leaders, beaten when fell last
tracked leaders, lost place after 4 out, weakened after next, behind when pulled up before last
led to 2nd, with leader, reminders before 3 out, led again next, headed last, ridden and one pace flat, rallied towards finish, not reach winner
in touch, blundered and lost place 15th, weakened after 3 out, behind when hampered and pulled up after last
in touch on outside, headway 15th, never reached leaders, weakened after 3 out, behind when pulled up before last
mid-division on inside, driven after 4 out, kept on under pressure from 2 out, never reached leaders
chased leaders on inside, lost place after 4 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up before next
towards rear, struggling 16th, never a threat
behind, headway into mid-division 12th, reminders after 16th, weakened before 3 out, behind when pulled up before next
mistake 1st, in touch and not always fluent, dropped to mid-division 8th, behind from 16th, ridden after 2 out, stayed on under pressure from last, took 4th towards finish, never nearer
Previous Festival experience is often an advantage in this Grade 3 handicap and Coo Star Sivola landed a gamble in the race last year. He meets third Vintage Clouds on the same terms and has undoubtedly been aimed at the contest again, though fourth Beware The Bear and fifth Singlefarmpayment could get closer with a slight pull in the weights. The latter always seems to run well in big handicaps around here but struggles to get his head in front. Calipto ran well in the Grand Annual here in 2017 but showed that 3m is his trip nowadays when beating Black Corton at Ascot, though his jumping will be put under pressure around here. Mister Whitaker won the novices’ handicap at this meeting last year but will have to prove his stamina and Give Me A Copper has been hard to train and the Nicholls stable never seems to have much luck in this contest. General Principle and Oldgrangewood are potentially well handicapped and Crucial Role is still improving but the mare MAGIC OF LIGHT has made giant strides this campaign. She was let down by her jumping when favourite last time at Fairyhouse but could make amends today if Robbie Power can keep her out of trouble as she’s a strong stayer.
Lake View Lad (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led after 2 out, clear flat, stayed on, won at Wetherby 3m hcp (1) gs in Dec beating Captain Chaos (10-10) by 4l, 8 ran.
Sizing Codelco (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Rear of mid-division, mistake 13th, well beaten from 17th, 11th of 12, dist behind Impulsive Star (10-1) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp (1) gd in Jan.
O O Seven (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Held up towards rear on inside, closer in mid-division 8th, weakened 13th, tailed off, mistake last, 9th of 11, dist behind Go Conquer (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Jan.
Minella Rocco (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 2nd, soon headed, led 6th, headed 3 out, no extra before last, 9th of 13, 13 1/4l behind Flemcara (10-9) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Activial (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Led, not fluent and headed 6th, driven after 4 out, outpaced next, no impression after, 6th of 11, 19 1/4l behind Siruh Du Lac (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Jan.
Mister Whitaker (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, hit 8th, slightly outpaced in 5th place after 11th, plugged on in 4th from 3 out, 4th of 10, 25 1/2l behind Cyrname (11-10) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Beware The Bear (IRE) 7-2 (12-1) Led, headed 15th, led after next, clear 18th, driven and reduced lead flat but never looked liked being caught, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Jan beating Shanroe Santos (11-6) by 5l, 9 ran.
Magic Of Light (IRE) 6-4fav (10-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, not fluent at 5th and briefly pushed along, slight mistake 9th and again briefly pushed along, bad mistake and unseated rider at 11th, at Fairyhouse 3m 1f (1) Good - Yielding in Feb.
Royal Vacation (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Mid-division, hampered 14th, headway 5 out, soon chasing leaders, every chance 3 out, weakened after next, tailed off, remote 4th, 4th of 15, 30l behind Robinsfirth (11-4) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (1) gd in Feb.
Noble Endeavor (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, slow and lost a few places 3rd, remote 10th 3 out, well beaten from next, 9th of 18, dist behind Walk In The Mill (10-3) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Crucial Role 10-11fav (11-8) Led 2nd, made rest, driven clear before 3 out, in no danger after, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Feb beating Rock My Style (10-9) by 16l, 4 ran.
Calipto (FR) 15-2 (10-8) Waited with in rear, smooth headway tracking leaders going strongly when short of room briefly before 2 out, went 2nd 2 out, ridden and closed to lead last, stayed on well, won at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) gs in Feb beating Black Corton (11-6) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Singlefarmpayment 5-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, steady headway from 18th, challenged last, driven flat, led towards finish, headed last stride, 2nd of 9, hd behind Cogry (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (1) gd in Dec.
Up For Review (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Towards rear on outer, some headway 5 out, progress early straight and pushed along in 3rd 2 out, no impression before last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 18, 12 1/4l behind Invitation Only (11-6) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
Give Me A Copper (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Raced keenly, good headway chasing leaders 3rd, hit 10th, plugged on in 4th, 4th of 16, 12 1/4l behind Classic Ben (10-10) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Coo Star Sivola (FR) 7-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, lost place 8th, mistake 13th, well beaten 3 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Cogry (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (1) gd in Dec.
Vintage Clouds (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leader until after 6th, pushed along before 15th, blundered badly next, soon beaten, well held after 17th, soon pulled up, at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
General Principle (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, dropped to mid-division at 5th, improved into 3rd 5 out, 3rd 2 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, disputed lead at last, headed after last and no impression in winner, dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 16, 4 3/4l behind Dounikos (11-0) at Punchestown 3m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Feb.
Willie Boy (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, blundered 6th, hit 4 out and dropped to 4th, kept on same pace after, 4th of 11, 12 3/4l behind Go Conquer (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Jan.
Flying Angel (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Slight lead until after 1st, chased winner until 3rd, chased leading pair until 10th, weakened after next, 5th of 10, 35 1/2l behind Cyrname (11-10) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Shantou Village (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Behind, headway into mid-division 11th, hampered 3 out, soon beaten, behind when mistake and unseated rider last, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Oldgrangewood 9-2 (11-12) Held up in last pair, pushed along before 11th, never on terms, no chance when hampered 4 out, 6th of 8, 8 1/2l behind Drumlee Sunset (11-4) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Feb.
Catamaran Du Seuil (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, losing place disputing well held 5th when blundered badly and almost unseated rider 2 out, weakened, last of 10, dist behind Walt (10-6) at Kempton 3m hcp (1) gd in Feb.
Big River (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 3 out, soon lost place, weakened next, 6th of 7, 15 1/2l behind Isaacstown Lad (10-6) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Dec.