mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, mistake 3rd ridden after 5th, weakened 2 out, no chance when blundered last
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakened flat
in touch, ridden approaching 5th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, hit last, no extra flat
hampered 4th, always towards rear
always behind
with leader, led 5th, ridden and hit 2 out, hung left last, ran on
behind, ridden and headway after 2 out, ran on nearest at finish
mistakes, chased leaders, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out
towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
in touch, lost place 3rd, behind when badly hampered and unseated rider 3 out.
in touch to approaching 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before last
mid-division, headway and hit 5th, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up before last
blundered 4th, always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, ridden and hit last, edged left last, stayed on not troubled winners
behind, hit 1st, headway 2nd, weakened next, behind when pulled up before 4th
in touch to approaching 5th, behind when stumbled and fell 3 out
prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
jumped right, led to 5th, ridden and mistake 2 out, soon weakened
behind, headway after 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on flat
always towards rear
There is an abundance of juvenile talent around this season and this looks a top class handicap to end the first day of the festival. With Blue Shark and Afsoun in his yard Nicky Henderson has many form lines to work from and so we will side with his charge Royals Darling, Opera Mundi, Alfred The Great and Rosecliff are just three of many dangers. Royals Darling has had the misfortune to have come up against the top class Detroit City on his two British runs to date, but has put in two very brave efforts. The experience will not be lost on him and off what looks a very fair mark he may be the one to collect this valuable prize. Opera Mundi comfortably beat Palm Island last time following a promising effort behind the smart Kalmini. With more progression very likely a big run can be expected. Rosecliff made it third time lucky over hurdles when winning at Ludlow in January. The second and third have both been successful since and so he does hold solid form claims this afternoon. One that may go well at a decent price is Alfred The Great. He disappointed a little at Newcastle last time but had previously scored in great style at Kelso. All in all a wide open affair but Henderson should know how he stands with plenty of his rivals and so the well supported Royals Darling gets our vote.
Bold Fire Evensfav (11-1) Soon tracking winner, not fluent 4 out, jumped right from 3 out, ridden and every chance next, one pace flat, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Overlut (11-8) at Haydock 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Marhaba Million (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders in 4th, slight mistake 4 out, 3rd 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, 5th when slight mistake last, 5th of 8, 9l behind Mister Hight (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Dreux (FR) 11-1 (11-0) Settled 3rd, 2nd after 3 out, led next, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 6l behind Mister Hight (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Grasp Evensfav (10-9) Prominent, led 2nd, made rest, clear 2 out, blundered last, comfortably, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb beating Beare Necessities (11-5) by 5l, 13 ran.
Royals Darling (GER) 11-8fav (11-3) In touch, led after 4th, headed well before 2 out, mistake 2 out, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Detroit City (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
My Immortal 3-1 (10-12) Led, ridden 2 out, hit last, headed final 100 yards, kept on, just held, 2nd of 7, hd behind Premier Dane (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (2) gf in Feb.
Clear Riposte (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Close 2nd, led briefly 4 out, headed next, soon outpaced, 3rd when slight mistake 2 out, no extra before last, 4th of 9, 17l behind Marhaba Million (10-9) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Jan.
Dan's Heir 10-3 (11-7) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Gardasee (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 12 ran.
Shamayoun (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Led, jumped left throughout, hung badly left from 2 out, ridden out, won at Southwell 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Tora Bora (11-5) by 16l, 13 ran.
Patman Du Charmil (FR) 10-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, well behind Dom d'Orgeval (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Feb.
Gardasee (GER) 8-11fav (11-1) Not jumped well, led, blundered badly 3 out, soon ridden, headed post, 2nd of 13, shd behind Livingonaknifedge (11-7) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Feb.
Kalmini (USA) 14-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon chased winner and no impression, 2nd of 10, 10l behind Afsoun (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gd in Feb.
Opera Mundi (FR) 4-6fav (10-7) In touch, effort 2 out, led last, pushed out, comfortably, won at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Palm Island (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Le Corvee (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (11-5) In touch, ridden when hit 3 out and soon weakened, 6th of 13, 25l behind Bureaucrat (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Rosecliff 15-8fav (10-7) Mid-division, headway 4th, led approaching 2 out, clear last, easily, won at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Jan beating Call Oscar (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Ouste (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Held up rear, progressed to chase leaders 3 out, ridden and hit final two, stayed on one pace, 4th of 9, 11l behind Detroit City (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Vox Populi (USA) 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, 6th halfway, moderate 5th after 3 out, left 4th and no extra from next, 4th of 10, 27l behind First Row (10-8) at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Feb.
Artist's Muse (IRE) 6-4fav (10-9) Tracked leaders in 6th, close 5th 3 out, 4th and ridden next, soon no extra, one paced, 5th of 9, 21l behind Marhaba Million (10-9) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Jan.
Brandon Mountain (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, mistake 3 out and lost place, soon weakened, 14th of 20, well behind King Of Merlia (10-10) at Gowran Park 2m 3yo hdl gs in Dec.
Bayard (USA) 22-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, left in lead before omitted last hurdle, awarded race, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Prize Fighter (11-4) at Fakenham 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gd in Jan. Later awarded race.
Count Kearney (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Led, headed after 3 out, soon no extra, left moderate 3rd from next, 3rd of 10, 22l behind First Row (10-8) at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Feb.
Mystery Lot (IRE) 7-2 (10-0) Made all, quickened approaching 2 out, heavily eased flat, won at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Sakenos (11-2) by 16l, 13 ran.
Proper Article (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, kept on without threatening from 3 out, 6th of 13, 9l behind Maralan (9-13) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 0-123 sft in Feb.
Alfred The Great (IRE) 11-8fav (11-2) In touch, outpaced 4 out, mistake next, kept on one pace, 3rd of 18, 11l behind Harmony Brig (11-10) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (5) sft in Feb.
