tracked leading pair, went 2nd before 3rd, led 6th, (water), inclined to hang right after, 4 lengths clear 2 out, ridden after last, headed towards finish
held up in 4th, went 3rd after 4th, closed before 7th, stumbled 4 out, pecked 2 out, soon ridden and beaten
led, headed 6th, (water), 4 lengths down 2 out, ridden to close before last, stayed on well flat to lead towards finish
chased leader until before 3rd, behind 6th, closed before 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, went moderate 3rd last
mistakes, soon well behind
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Voy Por Ustedes has not been seen since landing the Queen Mother Champion Chase last term and while lack of a recent run may not be of too much concern the fact that Alan King's gelding has to give weight away all round might be and preference is for River City, with Granit Jack rated the pick of the remainder. The selection is a useful performer on his day as was seen when six-and-a-half lengths third behind Voy Por Ustedes in March. Noel Chance's gelding is 9lbs better in with the winner today and has had the benefit of a recent run on the flat that may just have sharpened him up sufficiently for this return to chasing. Kalca Mome is capable but would need to put up a career best effort to take this, a comment that also applies to Jonjo O'Neill's Hasty Prince. Granit Jack was a winner over fences in France before showing decent form over hurdles for Paul Nicholls last term and the five-year-old has to be respected on his first start over the larger obstacles in the UK today. This looks a decent contest and marginal preference is for River City.
Voy Por Ustedes (FR) 5-1 (11-10) In touch, headway 8th, tracked leading pair approaching 3 out, challenged and mistake 2 out, led last, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar beating Dempsey (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
River City (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Mistake 2nd held up in rear, headway after 3rd, went 3rd before 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 8, 12l behind Dempsey (11-6) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gf in Apr.
Kalca Mome (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, outpaced 11th, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 16l behind Misty Dancer (9-13) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
Pauntley Gofa 7-1 (12-0) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened 3 out, 4th of 7, 10l behind Lake Imperial (11-0) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) frm.
Dalriath 5-1 (10-12) In touch, went 2nd after 5th until 7th, went 2nd again after 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Lake Imperial (10-3) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Hasty Prince 13-2 (10-13) Held up behind leaders, ridden, headway approaching 4 out, challenged for 2nd 3 out, weakened flat, 4th of 5, 12l behind Pablo Du Charmil (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd.
Granit Jack (FR) 15-2 (11-7) Took keen hold, chased leaders, led 3rd, went right, hit 2 out, driven between last 2, mistake last, headed, not pace of winner run-in, 2nd of 22, 3l behind Ebaziyan (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Mar.
