mid-division, driven to chase leaders before last, ridden and kept on same pace flat, no impression
in touch, headway after 2 out, challenged last, ridden to lead flat, kept on well
tracked leaders, outpaced 2 out, ridden and weakened before last
reluctant start, behind, headway under pressure after 2 out, chased leaders last, ridden and stayed on into 4th flat, no impression
towards rear on outside, outpaced 2 out, ridden before last, kept on flat, never troubled leaders
took keen hold, driven and lost place after 2 out, weakened before last
in touch, headway to lead narrowly after 2 out, hard pressed last, ridden and headed flat, well held in 3rd final 100 yards
tracked leader, driven and lost place when not much room after 2 out, weakened flat
led, ridden and headed after 2 out, weakened flat
mid-division, outpaced after 2 out, ridden and kept on flat, never on terms
mid-division on inside, driven after 2 out, never on terms, weakened flat
in touch, headway 2 out, soon challenged, led briefly before last, 4th and one pace after last, lost place flat
mid-division, driven 2 out, soon lost place, ridden and kept on flat, never near leaders
held up in rear, struggling 3 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, headway after 2 out, driven to challenge and every chance last, soon ridden, kept on flat, held towards finish
behind, outpaced 2 out, never on terms
mid-division, driven to chase leaders on wide outside after 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace flat, no impression
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
This is an annual head scratcher for punters but, following his success in a Listed race at Ascot, it would be no surprise to see plenty of confidence behind Nabucco. Handler John Ferguson has a strong hand as Triumph Hurdle fourth Devilment is fresh from victory at the Showcase meeting. Nicky Henderson has a modest record in this race but he could arrest that losing run with DAYS OF HEAVEN. The five year old performed poorly at Aintree having reportedly boiled over in the preliminaries, and with a less boisterous crowd at Prestbury Park, he can deliver upon the promise that he showed in his earlier victories at Doncaster and Kempton. Renneti finished fourth in the Cesarewitch and is no slowcoach having scored previously over two miles at Sligo. Bouvreuil was second in the Fred Winter at last season's Festival and he could yet take a hand from a 6lb higher mark. Mick Jazz and Superb Story get in off featherweights and both appear capable of progression while though Bidourey bombed out badly in the Imperial Cup and he is surely better than that bare form suggests.
Devilment 3-1fav (10-12) Held up in rear, headway before 2 out, ridden run-in, led narrowly last 75 yards, held on near finish, won at Cheltenham 2m (2) gd in Oct beating Karezak (10-12) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Old Guard 8-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway 3 out, challenged last, led flat, ran on well to draw clear final 100 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Are They Your Own (10-8) by 6l, 11 ran.
Days Of Heaven (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, not much room after 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 9th of 12, 35 3/4l behind Nichols Canyon (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr.
Renneti (FR) 16-1 (8-8) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway on outside 2f out, ridden and stayed on well in closing stages, went 4th post, never nearer, 4th of 34, 1 1/4l behind Grumeti (8-2) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Goodwood Mirage (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Steadied start, held up in last pair, moderate late headway, never remotely involved, 7th of 9, 10 1/4l behind Jakey (9-11) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Bouvreuil (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, blundered 1st, weakening when hampered last, 7th of 10, 7 3/4l behind All Yours (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Waxies Dargle 9-2fav (10-8) Mid-division, progress into 5th 3 out, ridden to challenge on outer before next, disputed last, asserted closing stages run-in, won at Killarney 2m 1f hcp Yielding - Soft in May beating Mrs Mac Veale (10-3) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Bidourey (FR) 9-2fav (10-8) Chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, weakened quickly on long run to next, soon pulled up, at Sandown 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Ebony Express 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders to 2 out, soon weakened, 19th of 24, 35 3/4l behind Wicklow Brave (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Nabucco 7-2fav (10-5) Took keen hold, tracked leaders and always travelling well on inside, good headway to lead 2 out, driven and stayed on well run-in, won at Ascot 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Oct beating Unanimite (10-5) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Mad Jack Mytton (IRE) 4-1fav (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, led 2 out, headed last, soon regained narrow lead, headed run-in, no extra, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Superb Story (10-13) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Totalize 8-1 (9-13) Held up, never near leaders, 10th of 17, 5 1/4l behind Nakeeta (9-4) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Olofi (FR) 7-1 (10-4) Chased leader until after 3 out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 6th of 8, 19 3/4l behind Irving (11-10) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Mick Jazz (FR) 5-6fav (10-12) Took keen hold, held up in rear, smooth headway before 2 out, led last, headed and no extra run-in, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Top Notch (11-8) at Newbury 2m (3) gs in Dec.
Superb Story (IRE) 4-1fav (10-13) Held up in rear, headway 4 out to track leaders, led and hit last, soon headed, regained lead run-in, kept on well towards finish, won at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Mad Jack Mytton (11-11) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Dexcite (FR) 7-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, challenged from 2 out, every chance until held close home, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Tea In Transvaal (10-9) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Redera (IRE) 50-1 (8-8) Towards rear, 18th and pushed along 3f out, ridden under 2f out, some headway final furlong to 13th, no threat, 13th of 20, 6 3/4l behind Digeanta (9-10) at Curragh 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Sign Of A Victory (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway on outside travelling well before 2 out, ridden into 2nd before last, tried to challenge run-in, no extra in 4th inside final 150 yards, 4th of 11, 3l behind Nabucco (10-5) at Ascot 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Oct.
Starluck (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, effort 4 out, no impression 2 out, 9th of 17, 14 3/4l behind Court Minstrel (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Serenity Now (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Keen tracked leading pair, went 2nd 7th, led 3 out, ridden and headed next, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Western Way (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
