tracked leaders, under pressure 4 out, weakened next
chased leaders, slow 1st, jumped right 4th, mistake 12th, driven to challenge 2 out, stayed on strongly closing stages, never reached winner
always prominent, led 5 out, headed 2 out, every chance last, led again flat, ran on well
led, headed when mistake 5 out, every chance 3 out, led again next, headed after last, no extra closing stages
held up in rear but in touch, slow 11th, mistake next, headway 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
ARPEGE D'ALENE would have been giving 12lb to Vieux Lille if this was being run over hurdles, and more than a stone to the other three. He disappointed over fences at Newbury in December but it's probably significant that connections are persevering with him over the larger obstacles. Vieux Lille is certainly worth noting for future reference, whatever happens today, but Rebecca Curtis' pair Aurillac and Definite Outcome might just need this. Potters Corner probably has a bit to find on these terms but has already won a bumper and hurdle race here so likes the track and is consistent.
Arpege D'alene (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, ridden before last, faded run-in, 9th of 19, 12 1/4l behind Ubak (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Aurillac (FR) 5-4fav (11-7) Raced wide in mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 6th, outpaced approaching 2 out (normal 3 out), kept on extended run-in, no chance with winner, 3rd of 12, 15 1/4l behind Wotzizname (11-1) at Exeter 2m 7f (4) gs in Apr.
Definite Outcome (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, lost place before 8th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Potters Corner (IRE) (11-0) 2nd of 18, 5l behind Solonder (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 2f sft in May.
Vieux Lille (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd and mistake 5 out, led 3 out, kept on well, won at Exeter 2m 7f (4) gd in Apr beating All Kings (11-0) by 3 1/4l, 8 ran.
