chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, stayed on well
held up in touch, mistake 5 out, soon under pressure, never dangerous
tracked leader, hampered 3rd, effort 3 out, kept on into 2nd after last
disputed lead until chased leader 6th, beaten 4 out
jumped left, disputed lead until led 6th, mistake 4 out, soon headed, rallied after 2 out, no extra closing stages
chased leaders, jumped slowly, outpaced 6 out, stayed on into modest 4th, never a threat
God's Own is running in this for the fourth time. He’s won twice, including last year, and was third in 2015 but isn’t getting any younger. Janika probably needs heavy ground to be effective over this sort of trip but should run his race. Destrier is capable of further improvement this season but Charbel has become disappointing. Lalor looked a potential world-beater when winning a Cheltenham Grade 2 on his fencing bow but never jumped as well after, though obviously goes well fresh. DOLOS is still relatively unexposed in this grade and loves soft ground, despite winning on a quicker surface when last seen – he has every chance in this.
Janika (FR) 9-2fav (11-12) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders after 3 out, left 3rd when ridden after last, never on terms, no extra in 4th flat, 4th of 27, 12 1/2l behind Cadmium (11-2) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
God's Own (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 2nd, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, closer when hit 3 out, went 3rd before hit 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 5, 5 1/2l behind Altior (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gd in Apr.
Dolos (FR) 11-10fav (11-12) Tracked leader to after 4th, close up in 3rd, challenged 3 out, ridden to lead before last, quickened clear flat, kept on well, won at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in May beating Solar Impulse (10-0) by 2l, 5 ran.
Charbel (IRE) 5-2fav (11-11) Chased leaders, pushed along before 5 out, weakened 3 out, 7th of 10, 14 1/2l behind The Bay Birch (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Destrier (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Held up and behind, blundered 3rd, steady progress on inside 6th, chased winner 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, one pace, lost 2nd last 75 yards, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Ornua (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) gd in Apr.
Lalor (GER) 7-2 (11-4) Held up, headway 6th, mistake 7th, weakened approaching 4 out, 6th of 7, 24 1/4l behind Ornua (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) gd in Apr.
