tracked leader until 5th, tracked leading pair, hit next, pushed along before 10th, lost 3rd 5 out, pushed along and weakened before next, left remote 4th 3 out
tracked leaders 2nd at 5th, challenged from 3 out, upsides last, led final 150 yards, stayed on gamely, headed post
tracked leaders on in 4th on inside, 3rd 5 out, switched right going well 2 out, strong challenge on outside run-in, stayed on gamely to lead post
led, hit 4 out, joined and hit next, battled on gamely from last, headed final 150 yards, weakened towards finish
pulled hard in last pair, left remote 5th 3 out, never on terms, tailed off
always behind, mistake 8th, tailed off 5 out
held up in 5th on inside, headway into 4th when blundered badly and unseated rider 3 out
NonRunner
La Bague Au Roi swerved the King George to run in this. Though she hasn’t so far recaptured last year’s form, she must have every chance of opening her seasonal account but this is a very competitive Listed race. Lady Buttons has more to do than when successful 12 months ago but she never fails to run her race and will be hard to keep out of the frame. Happy Diva won the BetVictor at Cheltenham while Sensulano is a fast-improving novice. CASABLANCA MIX wouldn’t want any rain but she has an excellent chance of wrapping up the four-timer if good remains in the going report, though she can take the odd risk at her fences.
Casablanca Mix (FR) 4-9fav (11-4) Niggled along at times on the 1st circuit, chased leaders, went 2nd before 9th, led 3 out, clear last, won easily in the end, won at Aintree 2m 4f lst (1) gs in Dec beating Holly Flight (11-0) by 15l, 4 ran.
Happy Diva (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Held up, headway and in touch on inside 8th, went 2nd after 3 out (usual 4 out), led 2 out, ridden after last, stayed on well under pressure flat, just held on, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Nov beating Brelan D'As (10-12) by nk, 17 ran.
Lady Buttons 7-1 (11-0) Held up in last pair, headway to chase front pair after 3 out, driven and one pace between last 2, no impression when mistake last, lost well held 3rd flat, 4th of 5, 6 1/4l behind Cornerstone Lad (11-7) at Newcastle 2m (1) hvy in Nov.
La Bague Au Roi (FR) 11-4 (10-10) Jumped left, soon led, headed 2 out, lost 2nd and held flat, 3rd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Top Notch (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec.
Dalila Du Seuil (FR) 5-6fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, hampered and fell 2nd, at Warwick 2m 4f (3) sft in Mar.
Holly Flight (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Held up in last, went 3rd 12th, challenged 3 out, ridden and no impression before last, 2nd of 4, 15l behind Casablanca Mix (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f lst (1) gs in Dec.
Queen's Magic (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Held up headway before 10th, led last, pushed out, comfortably, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov beating Momella (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Sensulano (IRE) 8-11fav (11-0) Held up in last, headway 12th, challenged 2 out, disputing lead when left clear last, won at Warwick 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Dec beating Chilli Filli (11-0) by 5l, 4 ran.
