towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3rd, joined leader briefly approaching 3 out (usual 4 out), soon nudged along and headed, lost second and switched right before 2 out, held before last
prominent, niggled along before 13th, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up approaching next
midfield, took closer order 11th, went second approaching 2 out, pushed along to challenge 2 out, ridden after last, kept on one pace flat
midfield, blundered 9th, nudged along before next, dropped to rear 11th, faded after 13th, pulled up 3 out (usual 4 out)
towards rear, slow 11th, pushed along and weakened after 13th, pulled up before 3 out (usual 4 out)
made all, joined briefly approaching 3 out (usual 4 out) where not fluent, pushed along before last, stayed on well from last
These veterans chases can be a minefield for punters with consistency rarely a strong point in those taking part. Sir Ivan appears an exception, however, and has placed in the final of this series in the last two years – he appears to hold Aso on the form book. Belami Des Pictons is potentially well treated but Jerrysback is on a long losing run. ELEGANT ESCAPE ran in snatches at Taunton but still showed he retains plenty of ability and he may be capable of giving the weight away to Run To Milan, who has a good record here but mainly at a lower level.
Aso (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Never travelled off the pace in last pair, mistake 10th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before the last, at Sandown 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Elegant Escape (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, shaken up after 8th, reminder 11th, pushed along after 15th, soon ridden, kept on but no impression on front pair, 3rd of 5, 8 1/4l behind Yala Enki (11-6) at Taunton 3m 4f (2) gs in Jan.
Sir Ivan 22-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders when bad mistake 4 out, went 3rd run-in, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Prime Venture (10-7) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Belami Des Pictons (FR) 4-1fav (10-11) Mistake 1st in rear, mid-division 5 out, ridden before 2 out, no impression, 6th of 13, 23l behind Annsam (10-10) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
Jerrysback (IRE) 22-1 (11-6) Held up, pushed along 5 out, some late headway, never near leaders, 5th of 15, 27 1/2l behind Eclair Surf (11-3) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Encounter A Giant (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) Jumped well, disputed lead until led approaching 3 out, drew clear next, ran on strongly, won at Hereford 3m 1f (4) hvy in Dec beating Supremely Lucky (11-2) by 8l, 5 ran.
Run To Milan (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Led until 4 out, left in lead next,3 lengths ahead at the last, hung left run-in, headed and not pace of winner towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Win My Wings (11-11) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
