led to 3rd, tracked leader, lead again before last, kept on well
towards rear in 4th, in rear before 3rd, outpaced 4 out, kept on from 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, in 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 4th
tracked leader, led 3rd, headed before last, kept on
held up in rear, went 4th before 3rd, left 3rd at 4th, going well from 2 out, one pace
Paul Nicholls has won two of the last five renewals and Gordon Elliott saddled the winner in 2012. They are represented, respectively, by Art Mauresque and Azorian this year. The former has already won over fences, at Kempton, and wasn't disgraced when third to Irish Cavalier at Newton Abbot after a break. He wouldn't have been far behind PARLOUR GAMES over hurdles but has to concede 8lb in this, which may be too much if the latter's jumping is good enough. John Ferguson's eight-year-old doesn't really have a jumping pedigree but did well over hurdles, winning the Challow Hurdle at Newbury last December and finishing second at both The Festival and at Aintree in the spring, so is the one to beat if translating that form to the larger obstacles. Long House Hall won at Bangor in May and, like Double Shuffle, looks a chasing type so will be worth following whatever happens here.
Art Mauresque (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Led 1st until 4 out, outpaced before 2 out, kept on flat, no impression, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Irish Cavalier (11-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f (2) gs in Oct.
Azorian (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) In rear, slight mistake 6th, not fluent 11th, not fluent 3 out and pushed along and detached, soon closed, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 5, 4 3/4l behind Devils Bride (11-9) at Limerick 2m 4f Yielding in Oct.
Long House Hall (IRE) 10-11fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 5 out, drew clear on bit from 2 out, unextended, won at Bangor 2m 1f (4) gd in May beating Raven's Tower (10-12) by 12l, 8 ran.
Double Shuffle (IRE) 7-2fav (11-7) Led after 1st, raced very wide in back straight, headed 2 out, led again last, stayed on well, drawing clear final 100 yards, won at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Mar beating Remiluc (11-7) by 6l, 9 ran.
Parlour Games 4-1fav (11-4) Held up in rear, headway before 2 out, chased winner before last, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Nichols Canyon (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr.
