in touch, mistake 9th, weakening when hampered next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
reluctant to race, slowly away, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-divison, pushed along and lost place 8th, soon behind
held up in touch, headway 10th, led 11th, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra approaching last
tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, ridden and one pace when mistake next
in touch, hampered 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
pulled hard in rear, mistakes, brought down 10th
in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened before next
towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, closed up 8th, led 2 out, hard pressed flat, driven out
towards rear, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 4 out and in touch, ridden and disputing 4th when fell 2 out
mid-division, headway when hampered 10th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
held up in rear, smooth headway 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden last, stayed on and every chance flat, no extra towards finish
held up in mid-division, headway 8th to track leaders, every chance 2 out and 3 out, ridden and no extra approaching last
tracked leader, led 8th, fell 10th
Ei Ei ran the race of his life when third behind Fondmort in the Paddy Power Gold Cup over course and distance four weeks ago and it will be a surprise if he can confirm superiority over Young Spartacus in fourth, while both Risk Accessor and It Takes Time, who both departed two out then, are both likely to reverse form but for the winner we turn to Iris Royal, who gets the vote over Hand Inn Hand. The last mentioned should strip fitter for his pipe opener over hurdles at Aintree last month but is hardly chucked in at the weights and, at the odds Iris Royal makes more appeal. Nicky Henderson's gelding is still well treated judged on his hurdles rating and has been raised just 5lbs by the handicapper for his win in Ascot's First National Gold Cup. Any softening in the ground would not hinder the claims of French-bred gelding, who goes on good ground as well and he gets the vote. The Nicky Richards-trained Telemoss has been well backed in recent days and has claims of his lightweight but would want rain, while Foly Pleasant appears to be in the grip of the handicapper at present. Risk Accessor was travelling well when falling in the Paddy Power and he is a big danger but Iris Royal has plenty of ticks in the right boxes and is taken to land this.
