led, headed after 5th, weakened 9th, beaten when hit 3 out
tracked leaders, lost place 2nd, soon well in rear, tailed off and unseated rider 2 out
chased leaders, hit 9th, weakened 3 out, jumped right next
held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure after last, not reach winner
held up in rear, under pressure 6th, detached 9th, soon pulled up
with leader, led approaching 5th, not fluent next, driven clear 2 out, stayed on well under pressure
in touch, hit and weakened 4 out, soon behind
It is hard to envisage anything being good enough to stop Ofarel D¿Airy, who is expected to have far too many guns for the likes of Virginia Preuil. Big John Macarty would have a chance of picking up the pieces if the selection suffers an ¿off day¿. However, the Neil King-trained gelding needs all the luck he can get and, as he is rated 37lb inferior to Ofarel D¿Airy, he is hard to recommend. Virginia Preuil has claims on the pick of his Irish form and, with his yard back amongst the winners last week; he is worth noting in the betting. However, Paul Nicholls has found a soft option for Ofarel D¿Airy, who stands head and shoulder above this lot on the evidence available and this appears to be his for the taking, even though the ground may be faster than ideally suits him.
Big John Macarty (IRE) 4-1 (10-4) In touch, lost place before 3 out, 6th of 15, 35l behind Don't Be Bleu (10-10) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Chase The Dawn 40-1 (11-1) pulled up 2 out in race won by Spare Cash (11-1) at Uttoxeter 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Apr, 14 ran.
Imminent Victory 12-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, pulled up after 3 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Folk Tune (10-7) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar '07, 15 ran.
Ofarel D'airy (FR) 7-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, hit 5th, lost second and mistake 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 31l behind Stan (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Solar Rock (IRE) 66-1 (10-10) Always behind, 9th of 14, well behind Spare Cash (11-1) at Uttoxeter 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Apr.
Virginia Preuil (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 8th halfway, ridden in 6th after 3 out, soon weakened, 19th of 24, 49l behind Limestream (10-6) at Naas 3m hcp hdle gs in Feb.
Tip Toes (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, outpaced 7th, no impression from 3 out, 6th of 13, 18l behind Gracialina (9-11) at Wetherby 2m 3f sll hcp hdl 0-120 gd in Apr.