held up in mid-division, not fluent 3rd, moved closer 5th, mistake 2 out, hard ridden, slightly outpaced between last 2 before rallying to chase winner last, no impression flat, held on well for 2nd
behind, not fluent 3rd, headway, in touch approaching 2 out, shaken up, weakened between last 2
chased leaders, challenged 5th, narrow lead 6th to 8th, led again 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, one pace flat
narrow lead to 2nd, remained prominent, ridden after 7th, weakened quickly after 3 out
held up, hit 6th, headway 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
not fluent, chased leaders, mistakes 4th and 7th, weakened 2 out
prominent, led 2nd, not fluent, headed 6th, lead again 8th, blundered, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, hit 5th, headway 2 out, soon challenged for 2nd going well, led approaching last, stayed on strongly flat
An informative race and Grand Bleu is worth chancing against Gwanako and Good Bye Simon. Grand Bleu was probably not given the best of rides at Haydock Park last night but as he is related to plenty of staying types, it would be no surpise to see him step up a gear this afternoon. Good Bye Simon has hot form in the provences in France. Mick Fitzgerald has been booked. Gwanako has plenty of hype to live up to. He looks perfectly able although the purists will probably mark him down somewhat for his style of jumping. Pigeon Island beat off allcomers in the aforementioned contest. The handicapper has had chance to react. Liberate has a couple of questions to answer at present while Pouvoir doesn't strike as the most obvious candidate for this longer trip. My Turn Now drops back in trip having struggled against top flight opposition over three miles. Grand Bleu looks progressive and can continue Francois Doumen's fine record of English raids.
Good Bye Simon (FR) (10-6) Blundered 2nd, headway halfway, stayed on well, 2nd of 11, nk behind Shekira (10-1) at Auteuil 2m 3f 4yo hdl Grd 1 (1) hvy in Nov.
Grand Bleu (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakened from last, 5th of 8, 11l behind Pigeon Island (10-7) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Gwanako (FR) 11-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, blundered last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Pigeon Island (10-7) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
My Turn Now (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Jumped left on occasions, made most to 9th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 6, 30l behind Black Jack Ketchum (11-8) at Wetherby 3m 1f hdl Grd 2 (1) gf in Nov.
Pigeon Island 8-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway after 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on to lead last 100 yards, won at Haydock 2m hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov beating Pouvoir (10-8) by 2l, 8 ran.
Key Time (IRE) 1-3fav (11-10) Made all, ridden and clear 3 out, hit next, stayed on strongly, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Feb beating Bob's Dream (11-1) by 6l, 8 ran.
Liberate 10-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 11th of 16, 23l behind Kanad (9-7) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gf in Nov.
Pouvoir (FR) 4-1 (10-8) In touch, ridden to lead 2 out, headed last 100 yards, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Pigeon Island (10-7) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
