always prominent, slightly hampered 6th, led 3 out, driven approaching 2 out, hung left and strongly pressed approaching last, headed near finish
disputed lead to 3rd, 2nd when fell 6th
led to 3 out, soon driven, weakened 2 out, tailed off
held up, raced keenly, slightly hampered 6th, well in touch 3 out, every chance and hung left approaching last, ducked left after flight, kept on same pace towards finish
held up, took keen hold, well in touch 3 out, challenged approaching last, faded and lost 3 places flat
mid-division, well in touch, hampered 6th, went 2nd after 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon outpaced, kept on one pace flat
held up in rear, well in touch 3 out, lost ground on leaders and shaken up after 2 out, progress last, soon hard-driven and hung left, pulled right and quickened flat to lead near finish
prominent, not fluent 2nd, ridden when hit 2 out, soon beaten
Mobaasher is a relatively fresh horse and should be able to reverse Festival form with Ballyfitz at the revised weights. The selection has yet to win for Paul Nicholls since joining him from Charlie Mann but he has shown up well in defeat on his three starts. On the most recent of them, he finished just five and a half lengths behind Ballyfitz despite making a mistake at the second last. He would be better off in a handicap but still has a handy 11lb swing at the weights and his chance is there for all to see. Flight Leader hasn't shown enough to get the vote, Foreman and Liberate have their stamina to prove and Reel Charmer has plenty to find. Buena Vista and Sonnyanjoe will stay and both have run well at Cheltenham this season. Buena Vista doesn't have too much to find with the selection on their running at the Festival and blinkers may help him pull out a little more but Mobaasher appears to be a far more reliable proposition.
Ballyfitz 20-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, mistake 7th, led 3 out, headed after 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 11, 12l behind Blazing Bailey (11-10) at Aintree 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs.
Flight Leader (IRE) 40-1 (11-6) Chased leader until approaching 8th, ridden after 10th, soon dropped rear, no danger after, 8th of 11, 14l behind Blazing Bailey (11-10) at Aintree 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs.
Sonnyanjoe (IRE) 11-4 (11-3) Settled 2nd, lost place 4 out, 6th 3 out, moderate 4th after 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 18l behind Shakervilz (11-2) at Fairyhouse 3m hdl gs in Mar.
Buena Vista (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Led to 9th, soon driven, weakened after next, 18th of 22, well behind Forest Pennant (10-13) at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gd.
Foreman (GER) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, dropped to rear 5th, trailing before 3 out, kept on one pace straight, 5th of 7, 11l behind Maralan (11-10) at Naas 2m chs Grd 2 gs in Feb.
Liberate 10-3 (10-12) Prominent, led 2nd, not fluent, headed 6th, lead again 8th, blundered, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 8, 15l behind Pouvoir (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Dec.
Mobaasher (USA) 12-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway after 9th, shaken up after 3 out, 6th when blundered 2 out, edged left from before last, stayed on flat, 4th of 24, 6l behind Ballyfitz (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Reel Charmer 28-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 4th of 22, 9l behind Forest Pennant (10-13) at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gd.
