tracked leader, led 5th until next, ridden to lead 4 out, driven clear before last, stayed on well
held up in touch, hit 7th, weakened after 4 out
in rear, blundered 4th, struggling when jumped right 13th, behind when jumped right 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led until 5th, led 6th until 4 out, relegated to 4th and beaten before 2 out, hit last
mid-division, not fluent 8th, headway to chase leaders before 4 out, hit 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, hit 10th and 11th, blundered 3 out, never in contention
in rear on outside, headway 8th, lost place when hit 13th, soon behind
tracked leaders and travelling well, moving into 2nd when lent left and bumped rival on bend before 2 out, jumped left 2 out stayed on same pace, no impression on winner
in touch when blundered 1st, held towards rear, last 10th, blundered and unseated rider 12th
in rear, hit 1st and 9th, progress into 5th after 3 out, no impression
held up in touch, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 9th, hit 13th, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, pressing for 2nd when held in and bumped on bend before 2 out, stayed on same pace, no impression on winner
This looks a very good renewal of the Ryanair and an opportunity for BARBERS SHOP to gain a deserved win at the top level, in the process taking the measure of Poquelin, Tranquil Sea and Schindlers Hunt. Nicky Henderson's charge has raced in some of the best contests around without success, having seen the back end of Kauto Star in the King George and Denman in the Hennessy. He performed with great credit on both occasions and may not need to improve much to land this, but the hope is he does find a bit for dropping down in trip as he doesn't look to truly see out three miles. The Queen's horse will enjoy what promises to be perfect racing ground and can gain the success he deserves in a race that tends to lack a genuine grade one performer. Tranquil Sea would rate a massive threat on soft ground but this is a shade on the fast side, despite the fact he has won on good ground in the past. Andrew Mcnamara's mount is not out of this by any means, but in a hot contest we'd like as much in our selection's favour as possible and the ground has gone against him. Contrastingly, the faster the surface the better for Poquelin who is arguably the most improved chaser in training this season. Paul Nicholls has always rated the horse but a combination of poor attitude and sketchy jumping had previously been his downfall. Not so this year, as the horse ran with great credit on poor ground behind Tranquil Sea at Cheltenham before going on to land the Boylesports a month later over course and distance. He's got excellent claims for his in-form yard and may well be sent off a well-backed favourite. Schindlers Hunt has plenty of form that would entitle him to go close but for whatever reason he doesn't usually capture the imagination of punters and therefore should represent fair value. Perhaps at this stage of his career he's going to find a couple too good, as might Voy Por Ustedes who was sent off a warm order for this last year and may have won but for a mistake at the top of the hill. He's not been at his best this year but remains the top rated runner and the first time blinkers may encourage a better performance; there'd be no more popular winner of this race. On the ratings our preferred four have a bit to find if truth be told, with Planet Of Sound, Petit Robin and Albertas Run all deemed better horses by the handicapper. The last named may be using this to prepare for a tilt at the Grand National but the other two can't be ruled out; Planet Of Sound looked good in the earlier stages of the season but is often let down by jumping errors, whilst Petit Robin steps up in trip having come up a shade short against the likes of Twist Magic. Of them, we prefer Petit Robin but whilst he does look to need further than two miles this stiff finish may expose his suspect stamina. Deep Purple has claims if forgiven a rare poor run last time; that was in the King George against the very best but he's surely better on a flat track as he showed when winning the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon. J'y Vole gets plenty of weight being a mare and represents a yard that had a winner here on Tuesday but she's got a bit to find on form with our gaze returning to Barbers Shop who can be a royal winner.
Albertas Run (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 11th, driven and outpaced 2 out, 5 lengths down last, ridden and kept on flat, no impression, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Monet's Garden (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Feb.
Barbers Shop 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway halfway, chased leaders 5 out, never able to challenge, 3rd of 13, 38l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m Grade 1 chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Barker (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Held up in touch until blundered and unseated rider 6 out, in a race won by Joncol (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f Grade 1 chs hvy in Dec, 5 ran.
Deep Purple 17-2 (11-10) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, lost place 8th, behind when pulled up 10th, in a race won by Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m Grade 1 chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Jack The Giant (IRE) Evensfav (11-1) Held up, headway 6th, tracked leader 3 out, led 2 out, clear when jumped left last, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Nov '08 beating Lord Henry (11-2) by 11l, 8 ran.
Petit Robin (FR) 15-8 (11-7) Tracked leaders, joined winner 7th, bliundered 9th, ridden and outpaced 2 out, 8 lenghts down and no impression when hit last, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Twist Magic (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f Grade 1 chs (1) sft in Jan.
Planet of Sound 5-2 (11-7) Held up in touch when fell heavily 5th, in a race won by Monet's Garden (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Feb, 6 ran.
Poquelin (FR) 7-2fav (11-8) Soon close up on inside, challenging from 4 out, switched out approaching 2 out, led 2 out, in command last, kept on strongly flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grade 3 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec beating Razor Royale (10-11) by 7l, 17 ran.
Schindlers Hunt (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Soon tracked leaders in 6th, progress into 2nd 3 out, disputed lead entering straight, soon ridden, mistake last and headed, no extra in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Joncol (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m Grade 1 chs hvy in Feb.
Scotsirish (IRE) 7-4fav (11-10) Chased leaders in 3rd early, disputed 2nd from before 6th, ridden to lead 3 out, kept on well to assert before last, won at Fairyhouse 2m 1f chs Grd 2 hvy in Jan beating Snowy Morning (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Tranquil Sea (IRE) 4-6fav (11-7) Tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd halfway, improved to lead after 2 out, strongly pressed last, driven out and quickened clear run-in, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f chs Grd 2 sft in Feb beating Natal (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Voy Por Ustedes (FR) 11-4 (11-10) Tracked leader, led 4th, ridden when headed 4 out, blundered and weakened 3 out, hit next, 4th of 5, 18l behind Master Minded (11-10) at Newbury 2m 1f chs G2 (1) gs in Feb.
J'y Vole (FR) 11-8fav (11-5) Settled behind leaders in 4th, 3rd 7 out, closed 3 out, soon 2nd, improved to challenge 2 out, led before last, pushed out and quickened clear run-in, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs Grd 2 sft in Feb beating Watson Lake (11-8) by 15l, 5 ran.
