led, jumped left 8th and 9th, headed after 11th, weakened before 4 out
held up behind leaders, closed 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, shaken up 2 out, not fluent and held last, kept on
not always fluent, held up behind leaders, closed to lead 4 out, driven and headed before last, held flat, kept on
chased leaders, not fluent 10th, led after next, headed 4 out, weakened 3 out, fell 2 out
tracked leader, not much room 8th, lost 2nd 11th, challenged 4 out, led before last, ridden out
behind, mistake 1st, not fluent 7th, tailing off 9th, pulled up before 4 out
A fascinating contest. Gallyhill, widely touted last season, scored on his stable debut before finding Midnight River too good in a hot Ascot novice hurdle. Pulled up at Aintree in Grade 1 company, he's not been seen since and has undergone wind surgery. He's always been a chaser in the making and is one to note carefully whatever the outcome here. Any News has a fitness advantage after a couple of runs this term but COCONUT SPLASH has three fencing runs under his belt against the likes of Chantry House and Messire Des Obeaux and may make experience count. Jay Bee Why is an interesting chasing recruit, whilst Striking A Pose looked useful last term until failing to complete the last twice.
Any News (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Not always fluent, held up in rear, outpaced after 4 out, well beaten 3 out, went modest 3rd flat, 3rd of 5, 24 1/2l behind Third Time Lucki (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m (2) gd in Oct.
Coconut Splash (IRE) 11-8 (10-12) Chased leaders, closed 11th, led 4 out, headed and not fluent 3 out, reminder after next, held last, kept on, 2nd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Chantry House (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 5f (4) sft in Feb.
Jay Bee Why (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway when hampered 4 out, mistake 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 12, dist behind My Drogo (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Gallyhill (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Wide in mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, pulled up quickly, at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Striking A Pose (IRE) 80-1 (11-4) Prominent on outside, not fluent 6th, lost place 7th, struggling when hampered and unseated rider 4 out, at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Menapian (IRE) 13-2 (10-4) Towards rear, slow 1st, ridden before 3 out, well adrift 2 out, no extra, 10th of 17, 35 1/2l behind Windance (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Mar.
