chased leader, mistake 7th, not fluent next, ridden when blundered 4 out, kept on same pace
held up behind leaders, headway 4 out, soon ridden, chased winner 3 out, held from last
held up behind leaders, ridden, headway approaching 4 out, challenged for 2nd 3 out, weakened flat
made all, clear 8th, driven out
held up behind leaders, slow jump 6th, soon struggling, some headway under pressure approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out
In the Haldon Gold Cup, Fair Along is selected ahead of Hasty Prince. One of last season's leading novices - he finished second in the Arkle - Fair Along can go well here, having warmed up for this with a very good third in the Cesarewitch. Formerly a high-class hurdler, Royal Shakespeare has proven himself more than useful over fences and, coming here with a run under his belt, can go well on going that will suit. With the Johnny Henderson/Grand Annual second, Hasty Prince, the useful novice from last season, Pablo du Charmil - although he was behind Hasty Prince in the Grand Annual, and the Nicky Henderson-trained Grand Annual sixth, Saintsaire, also in the line-up, this is a decent contest. The selection, once again, is Fair Along.
Fair Along (GER) 7-2 (11-1) Mistakes, held up, headway 7th, outpaced after 4 out, rallied approaching 2 out, chased winner between last 2, stayed on, no impression, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Twist Magic (11-1) at Aintree 2m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Royal Shakespeare (FR) 4-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, driven and outpaced after 3 out, went moderate 3rd before last, 3rd of 6, 22l behind Alph (11-0) at Kempton 2m hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Hasty Prince 5-1fav (11-1) Towards rear, pushed along and outpaced approaching 5th, no impression when hampered 2 out, 7th of 15, 17l behind Bambi De L'orme (10-2) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Pablo Du Charmil (FR) 6-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, led 10th until approaching 2 out, weakened quickly, 16th of 23, 41l behind Andreas (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Saintsaire (FR) 2-1fav (11-4) Held up in rear, hit 10th, ridden and outpaced from 12th, last of 5, 30l behind Three Mirrors (9-13) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gf in Apr.