led, headed 5 out, weakened 3 out, pulled up next
prominent, led 5 out, ridden when landed awkwardly and nearly unseated rider last, ran on
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out until 2 out, kept on same pace
in touch towards rear, mistake 5 out, pulled up 3 out
raced wide in touch, headway 4 out, ridden to chase winner 2 out, stayed on
in rear, behind from 3 out
tracked leaders, pushed along 3 out, weakened approaching last
in touch, headway 5 out, pushed along 3 out, ridden and stayed on towards finish
towards rear, headway 5 out, blundered badly next, soon eased
close up, pushed along 3 out, weakened next
in rear, pulled up 3 out
towards rear, behind 4 out
close up, pushed along 3 out, weakening when mistake and fell next
towards rear, headway 4 out, weakened soon after next
The lightly-raced Angels Breath ran a nice race over hurdles here last month. Unexpected Party beat subsequent winner Knapper’s Hill in a novice event at Chepstow but looks held by Stage Star on the form book. The latter, 4-6 over fences, beat Notlongtillmay in the Grade 1 Golden Miller at The Festival here in March and is bidding to give Paul Nicholls a first win in this in 2014 but the champion trainer also runs IL RIDOTO. Though carrying 4lb more than when fourth last year, he’s partnered by up-and-coming 5lb claimer Freddie Gingell and would have finished much closer 12 months ago but for a blunder at the last. He goes well fresh and beat Fugitif in a similar contest at the track in January. Winner of the Grade 1 Brown Advisory here in March, The Real Whacker can’t be ignored but Willie Mullins’ sole entry Authorized Art looks up against it.
The Real Whacker (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Made all, jumped well, driven and 2 1/2 lengths ahead flat, reduced lead towards finish, just held on, won at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Mar beating Gerri Colombe (11-7) by shd, 10 ran.
Stage Star (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Led, not fluent 12th or 4 out, jumped left 3 out, soon headed and ridden, weakened before last, lost 4th flat, last of 5, 15l behind Banbridge (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Fugitif (FR) 11-1 (11-10) In rear, not fluent 7th, ridden and struggling before 9th, not fluent 10th or 12th, well beaten before 4 out, 5th of 7, 31 1/2l behind Pic D'Orhy (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr.
Authorized Art (FR) 12-1 (11-8) In touch, 3rd after 8th, 4th after 13th, improved to 3rd last where slight mistake, no impression on leaders run-in, dropped to 4th on line, 4th of 17, 6 1/2l behind Desertmore House (10-6) at Listowel 3m hcp (1) Yielding - Soft in Sep.
Notlongtillmay 7-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced before the last, plugged on run-in, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Dancing On My Own (11-13) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Final Orders 4-1 (12-0) Towards rear, not fluent 2nd, tracked leaders home turn, pushed along and outpaced 4 out, plugged on one pace, 4th of 5, 15 1/4l behind Al Dancer (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Unexpected Party (FR) 2-1 (11-5) Led, headed and remained handy after 5th, pressed leader 5 out, led 4 out and forged away, ridden after 2 out and edged right, kept on, always doing enough, won at Chepstow 2m 3f lst (1) sft in Oct beating Knappers Hill (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 4 ran.
Il Ridoto (FR) 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division out wide, dropped towards rear from 10th (bechers), pulled up before 13th (valentines), at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Whistleinthedark (IRE) Evensfav (11-10) Chased leader, not much room 2nd, led 6th, mistake next, ridden before 2 out, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Apr beating Riders Onthe Storm (11-7) by 6l, 4 ran.
Angels Breath (IRE) 17-2 (12-0) Held up in behind leaders, headway 2 out, went second and pushed along approaching last, ridden flat, kept on, 2nd of 16, 4 3/4l behind Pinnacle Peak (10-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Black Gerry (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Held up, rapid headway to challenge 2 out, soon led, clear last, ran on flat, held on well, won at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Apr beating Captain Tom Cat (10-13) by 1l, 6 ran.
Easy As That (IRE) 6-4fav (11-10) Raced wide, chased leading pair until before 6th, jumped slowly 7th, hit 9th, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, last of 5, 14 1/2l behind Hudson De Grugy (10-5) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Torn And Frayed (FR) 5-1jfav (10-10) Chased leader until 13th, chased leaders, pushed along on inside before 2 out, went 2nd 2 out, ridden to led before the last, driven clear run-in, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Jan beating Galahad Quest (10-11) by 6l, 10 ran.
Harper's Brook (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-10) Held up in 6th, gained a place 4 out, headway on inside travelling well and switched right before 2 out, led before the last, 3 lengths ahead when idled badly run-in stopped to a walk and headed final 100 yards, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Gloire D'Athon (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
