with leader from 1st, hit 4th, led 13th, headed narrowly after 3 out, stayed with every chance until no extra final 100 yards
led until 13th, stayed with leader, hit 4 out, led narrowly after 3 out, stayed on gamely to pull away final 100 yards
held up, went 4th from 5th, still going ok and 6 lengths off the pace when fell 4 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 12th, hit 4 out and pecked, soon outpaced, weakened next, held on for remote 3rd
last after not being fluent 5th, mistakes 7th and 8th, soon ridden, behind when not fluent 10th, tailed off when stumbled 3 out, almost took remote 3rd
As in the opener, the Nicholls' yard has an excellent recent record in this race and Woolcombe Folly and Aerial's chances will be aided by the respective claims of Ryan Mahon and Harry Derham. The latter has won at Ascot and Newbury this term and looks the pick of the pair. The Cockney Mackem came in for significant market support when runner-up to Salut Flo in the Grade 3 Byrne Group Plate at last month's Festival and should again finish ahead of Gilbarry and Hector's Choice. But fourth DIVERS, who usually runs well here, effectively enjoys a 7lb turnaround in the weights and can reverse running with Nigel Twiston-Davies' six-year-old, who is still seeking a first win over fences. The selection's stablemate, Lord Villez, is 9lb out of the handicap and likely to struggle.
Aerial (FR) 10-3fav (11-3) Held up, pushed along after 5 out, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd flat, stayed on under pressure to lead post, won at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar beating Dan Breen (10-8) by shd, 12 ran.
Hector's Choice (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, hit 8th, blundered 11th, lost place before 12th, weakened next, tailed off, 17th of 22, well behind Salut Flo (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Gilbarry (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Held up on outide, headway approaching 6th, chased winner after next until blundered 13th, weakened after 3 out, 12th of 22, 38l behind Salut Flo (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
The Cockney Mackem (IRE) 10-1 (10-1) Mid-division, hit 2nd, headway 9th, ridden after 3 out, went 3rd next, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 22, 6l behind Salut Flo (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Lord Villez (FR) 20-1 (10-11) In rear, mistake and behind 10th, never in contention, 7th of 13, 37l behind Auroras Encore (11-2) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd.
Woolcombe Folly (IRE) 22-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, mistake 2nd, hit 9th and reminders, never in contention, 7th of 12, 34l behind Aerial (11-3) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Divers (FR) 8-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, closed to take 3rd when blundered 2 out, chased winner before next, driven and no impression when lost 2nd flat, no extra towards finish, lost 3rd post, 4th of 22, 11l behind Salut Flo (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
