tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, slightly slow 7th and pushed along briefly, pushed along again from 4 out on outer, challenged 3 out, no impression from next, moderate 2nd at last, one pace
tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, 4th 3 out and pushed along, soon switched left to outer, quickly challenged and led, jumped right 2 out, soon asserted, jumped right again last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
close up and disputed lead, slightly slow 7th, headed approaching 2 out, soon no impression and no extra from before last
soon towards rear, detached when fell 5th
soon chased leaders, slight mistake 7th, no impression approaching 4 out and pushed along in 5th, weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders and jumped right 1st, lost place and detached 9th, soon no extra, tailed off
soon led and disputed, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 9th, headed approaching 2 out, soon no impression, one pace
in rear, soon detached, not fluent 2nd, never a factor, pulled up before 4 out
Paul NIcholls had the exciting Saphir Du Rheu entered at the early stage but relies instead on Ptit Zig, who won his first four races over fences before falling at Ascot and jumping poorly behind Vautour at Cheltenham. The stable is in good form so the lack of a run shouldn't be a problem and it will be a surprise if he's not there at the finish. CLARCAM won the Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree, his second Grade 1 of the campaign, and he has the advantage of a recent run at Gowran which may just swing things in his favour. Shanahan's Turn did brilliantly to land the Galway Plate and didn't show anything like that form when behind the selection at Gowran where he started favourite. Expect him to bounce back but the novice Shadow Catcher, though receiving plenty of weight, has a lot to do in this exalted company.
Clarcam (FR) 7-2fav (11-8) Held up, 6th 4 out, pushed along approaching straight, improved to challenge from 2 out, slightly impeded last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 7, 4 1/4l behind Cailin Annamh (10-13) at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) gd in Oct.
Ptit Zig (FR) 11-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, ridden and no impression from next, 5th of 8, 18 1/4l behind Vautour (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gd in Mar.
Shanahan's Turn (IRE) 7-4fav (11-8) Held up, slight mistake 6th, closer order from before 7th, 5th 4 out, soon improved on outer, pushed along approaching straight, soon no impression and last from 3 out, no extra and hit next, eased run-in, last of 7, dist behind Cailin Annamh (10-13) at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) gd in Oct.
Aladdins Cave 40-1 (8-13) Slowly away and towards rear, progress on outer after halfway and 3rd 4f out, pushed along to challenge 2f out, ridden in 2nd over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 3 1/4l behind Lake Champlain (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct.
Finea (IRE) 7-1 (9-13) Held up, slight mistakes 1st and 6th, soon raced in 9th, went 5th 2 out and no impression, headway and switched right run-in, kept on same pace without threatening, 2nd closing stages without troubling winner, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Fort Smith (12-1) at Downpatrick 2m 5f hcp gd in Jun.
Raydari (FR) 10-1 (9-10) Soon led, clear halfway, reduced lead 3f out, soon ridden, strongly pressed 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, soon no impression, 5th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Ondamoura (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct.
Shadow Catcher 6-4fav (11-12) Settled behind leaders in 3rd, pushed along after 4 out, closer 3 out, challenged and slight mistake 2 out, stayed on to dispute last, kept on well run-in, just prevailed at line, won at Cork 2m 4f gd in Oct beating Guitar Pete (11-12) by ns, 3 ran.
Sir Vinnie (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear when mistake and unseated rider 1st, at Fairyhouse 2m 1f gd in Apr.
