chased leader and clear of rest, led after 2nd and maintained strong pace, clear when hit 4th and next, ridden after 3 out, headed between last 2, no chance with winner when lost 2nd and hit last, weakened flat
held up in 5th and off the pace, some headway when hit 4 out, and weakened soon after, tailed off
held up towards rear and well off the pace, steady headway approaching 4 out, tracked going well after 3 out, led between last 2, soon clear and stayed on strongly
always in rear, lost touch 4 out, tailed off
held up in 6th and off the pace, weakened 4 out
took keen hold, jumped right, led at strong pace and clear with one rival, headed after 2nd, chased leader until after 4th, behind 4 out, tailed off
held up in 4th and off the pace, headway to dispute 2nd after 4th, stayed on to 2nd last, no chance with winner
chased clear leading pair, closed and went 2nd after 4th, weakened after 3 out
The French import Royal Mix probably did not beat a great deal on his debut for Paul Nicholls when successful at Newbury in November and could prove to be a decent recruit to the stable but it is hard to get away from BARIZAN, who looks the one to beat. The Evan Williams-trained gelding showed progressive form last term in being placed at both Cheltenham in the Triumph and at Aintree on his next start prior to winning the Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival and he looks the one to beat. Orsippus has 4lb to find with the selection on official BHA ratings, while the in-form Clerk's Choice and Alan King's Gilded Age need to improve to get involved at the business end in this company. Brian Ellison's Ultimate is fit from the flat but will need to improve on form on the level to trouble Barizan.
Barizan (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Made all, soon clear, extended lead to 10 lengths before halfway, reduced advantage approaching 2 out, ridden and stretched clear again before last, stayed on strongly run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 1 gd in Apr beating Carlito Brigante (11-0) by 12l, 9 ran.
Orsippus (USA) 6-1 (11-0) Raced in moderate 5th on inner, closer in 4th approaching 2 out, no extra entering straight, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 18l behind Barizan (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 1 gd in Apr.
Clerk's Choice (IRE) 4-6fav (11-5) Led until after 2nd, led 4th, soon headed, led 6th, ridden flat, ran on, won at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May beating Roodolph (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Dark Ranger 10-1 (10-5) Held up behind, smooth headway on outside 3 out, went 2nd before next, challenged going well between last 2, led after last, ridden and held on flat, won at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd beating Lucy's Perfect (10-5) by 1l, 11 ran.
Gilded Age 9-1 (11-0) Mainly moderate 4th, 3rd briefly 4 out, 5th and no extra after next, 6th of 9, 31l behind Barizan (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 1 gd in Apr.
My Brother Sylvest 15-8fav (10-11) Took keen hold, jumped right, led and soon clear, mistake and headed 6th, mistake 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 10, well behind Silviniaco Conti (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gd.
Royal Mix (FR) 1-3fav (10-12) Made virtually all, jumped right 5th, pressed when not fluent last, driven clear final 150 yards, won at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Nov beating Me Voici (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Ultimate 10-11fav (11-4) Led, ridden approaching and headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Super Kenny (10-12) at Stratford 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gf in Mar.
