held up towards rear, some headway 7th, weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, weakened before 6th, soon tailed off, pulled up after
held up in mid-division, struggling 7th, soon tailed off, pulled up after
held up towards rear, behind 6th, soon tailed off, pulled up after
mid-division, headway after 7th, mistake next, not fluent 3 out, went 2nd when not fluent 2 out, no chance with winner
mid-division, headway after 7th, 4th and beaten 3 out, weakened next, fell last
tracked leader until 6th, not fluent next, well beaten after 8th, plugged on from 2 out, went 4th flat
held up in rear, well behind 6th, pulled up after
held up in touch, weakened before 6th, soon tailed off, pulled up after
held up in rear, well behind 6th, pulled up after
prominent, ridden 6th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
not much room when mistake 1st, in touch from 3rd, lost place before 3 out, soon well held
made all, jumped left 1st, ridden when not fluent 3 out, clear from next, stayed on well, comfortably
tracked leaders, challenged after 6th until before 3 out where mistake, 3rd and no extra next
A competitive and potentially informative start to proceedings. Paul Nicholls has won this twice in the last five years so BOA ISLAND heads the short-list, though the market should also provide a good guide. Sam Twiston-Davies' mount runs in the colours made famous by Party Politics and will make a chaser in time but the winning pointer could have enough speed to make a successful start under Rules here. Walking In The Air has won a point-to-point and a Warwick bumper and could be anything while Westren Warrior arrives off the back of a victory at Sligo, though Yala Enki has the best form under Rules having won twice over fences in France and finished second over hurdles at Uttoxeter in March when only beaten a head. Jockey bookings suggest Duke Des Champs is preferred to stablemate Gala Ball.
Westren Warrior (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway on inner 5 out, 7th next, went close 4th travelling well 2 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on well run-in, won at Sligo 3m mdn hvy in Aug beating Ultimate Horseman (11-12) by 5l, 10 ran.
All Kings (IRE) 5-2 (12-2) Ld, mstk 1st & 2l adv when b mstk & ur 6th, at Dromahane 3m mdn gd in Apr.
Boa Island (IRE) 1-2 (11-7) A.p; led 10; unchall, won at Upcott Cross 3m gs in Apr beating Winter Soldier (11-7) by 30l, 13 ran.
Contempt Of Court (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, every chance over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 19 1/2l behind Bentworth Boy (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (6) gd in Oct.
Duke Des Champs (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 11, 18 1/4l behind Barters Hill (11-3) at Newbury 2m lst (1) sft in Feb.
Gala Ball (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden in 4th 2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3 3/4l behind Childrens List (12-0) at Tramore 2m gd in Apr.
Minellacelebration (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Led until 2nd, led next, headed after 5th, not fluent 7th, close up 3 out, outpaced when not fluent 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 6, 25 1/4l behind The Eaglehaslanded (11-10) at Exeter 2m 7f (4) gf in Oct.
Monsieur Murphy (IRE) 2-1 (12-2) Twrds rr, 7th 1/2way, slt prog to fair 5th 5out, 12l 4th 4out, rdn & in mod 4th 2out, no dngr to wnr str, ko onepcd, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Bobbythegangster (11-11) at Fairyhouse Ptp 3m mdn gd in Apr.
Motts Cross (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Air Horse One (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (6) gd in May.
My Diamond (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, held up in touch, driven to chase leaders over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, went 3rd over 2f out, kept on same pace, no chance with front pair, edged left inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 19 1/4l behind Blackdown Hills (10-11) at Worcester 2m (6) gd in May.
Pawn Star (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, pushed along over 4f out, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, no danger after, 7th of 13, 37 3/4l behind William Henry (11-4) at Kempton 2m mdn (5) gd in Mar.
Walking In The Air (IRE) 4-1fav (11-4) Made all, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Warwick 2m mdn (6) sft in Mar beating The Gipper (11-4) by 9l, 9 ran.
Yala Enki (FR) 3-1fav (11-2) Led, not fluent 5th or 3 out, headed before 2 out, rallied flat, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 7, hd behind Doctor Phoenix (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (4) sft in Mar.
Fortunata Fashions 11-10 (11-0) A.p; led 8; drew clr 2 out, won at Brocklesby Park 3m mdn sft in Mar beating Two Smokin Barrels (11-7) by 22l, 7 ran.
Champers On Ice (IRE) 9-4fav (12-0) Prominent throughout, close 3rd halfway, close up and challenged from 5f out, led 3f out, ridden 2f out, strongly pressed over 1f out, disputed inside final furlong, just prevailed close home, won at Punchestown 2m 2f Good - Yielding in Apr beating First Figaro (12-0) by hd, 15 ran.
