tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on, always held
held up in touch in 4th, went 2nd approaching 4 out, led approaching 3 out, clear after 2 out
held up in rear, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, reminders 5 out, soon pulled up, tailed off
tracked leader, hit 5th, pushed along and weakened approaching 4 out
held up towards rear and keen, headway 5 out, in 5th and weakened approaching 4 out
led and soon clear, headed approaching and blundered 3 out, ridden approaching next, soon weakened
held up towards rear, weakened from 5 out
All the big boys stand their ground and in a fascinating clash it is SHALIMAR FROMENTRO who might be worth chancing. It's interesting that Nick Williams had him at Auteuil last month and the gelding shaped with plenty of promise. His stable won this last year with Reve De Sivola and with the longer trip likely to suit his stablemate a bold bid is anticipated. The majority of eyes will be on Captain Chris who didn't make his debut until February but he won his next three starts and has emerged not only with a rating of 146 but as a leading Cheltenham candidate as well. Silviniaco Conti was fairly easy to back on his UK debut at Bangor but he sauntered home having been electric over his hurdles; he could be anything. Lidar is more exposed but he has always been highly-thought-of and is expected to improve now up in trip. Quo Video has the proven course form and although he flopped at Worcester when last seen his previous progression was eminent, however a bigger threat might be the front-runner Frascati Park if able to nip away from the front. Cavite Beta represents top connections and this son of Old Vic is a player on his hurdling bow now faced with a test of stamina.
Captain Chris (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) Tracked leader, led 5th, hung right and wide approaching 2 out, headed soon after, driven to lead again last, stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Apr beating Salden Licht (11-4) by 4l, 9 ran.
Silviniaco Conti (FR) 2-1 (11-3) Tracked leader who soon went clear, landed steeply 1st, closed 5th, led next, drew away from 3 out, easily, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gd beating Grafite (10-12) by 29l, 10 ran.
Lidar (FR) 7-4fav (11-5) Held up in rear, headway 5th, challenged 3 out, chased winner last, no impression, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Praxiteles (10-12) at Aintree 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Quo Video (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Mid-division, mistake 1st, struggling 9th, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Tarvini (10-4) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Jun.
William Hogarth 10-3 (11-6) Led, headed approaching 5th, remained prominent, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 17l behind Karasenir (11-6) at Kempton 2m Listed nov hdl (1) gd.
Cavite Beta (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, rider lost irons after 6f, led approaching halfway, ridden and headed 2f out, soon no extra, 7th of 23, 15l behind Bishopsfurze (12-0) at Punchestown 2m N H flat gd in Apr.
Frascati Park (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Attempted to male all, ridden and strongly pressed approaching 2 out, headed when slight mistake last, one pace run-in, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Magnanimity (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hdl G2 hvy in Apr.
Shalimar Fromentro (FR) (10-5) 2nd of 10, 10l behind Saint Gratien (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hdl hvy in Sep.
