held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, outpaced 2 out, kept on from last
towards rear, hampered 4 out, never dangerous, pulled up
mid-division, lost place after 6th, hampered 4 out, tailed off
made virtually all, ridden before last, kept on, driven out
close up, ridden before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, weakened from 4 out
held up mid-division, weakened from 4 out
towards rear, weakened from 4 out
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, mistake 2 out, ridden to chase winner before last, kept on and held towards finish
held up mid-division, ridden nd lost place from 6 out, hampered 4 out, tailed off
with leaders, fell 4 out
in touch, hit 6th, ridden before 4 out, weakened from 3 out
in rear, ridden before 3 out, blundered 2 out, never dangerous
in touch in 4th, weakened before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, ridden before last, one pace
towards rear, hampered 4 out, headway before 3 out, ridden and weakened before last
Volnay De Thaix looks an outstanding staying prospect and will make a bold bid to take advantage of the race conditions and gain his sixth victory over timber. Nicky Henderson's charge landed a Listed contest over 2m4f at Huntingdon in very impressive fashion and though raised a massive 14lb he arrives here with a 5lb penalty. He's never run over this trip but is an obvious contender despite a big weight. Aubusson was returning from a very long lay-off when runner-up in a Grade 3 over 2m4f at Chepstow and is another progressive type tackling this trip for the first time, as is Vieux Lion Rouge, who wasn't far behind him at Chepstow. The latter's stablemate KATKEAU has no problems with the trip as he showed when beating the Cesarewitch winner Big Easy at Cheltenham a week ago. He's been raised 7lb but can run with a penalty here and is taken to complete a quick and very lucrative double. Dara Tango could be one for each-way backers as he looked a smart prospect back in 2012 and was having his first start for two years when awarded a 2m handicap on the Flat at Catterick after originally finishing second.
Volnay De Thaix (FR) 13-8fav (11-12) Held up in mid-division, closed from 7th, led on bit 2 out, clear last, impressive, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) sft beating Conquisto (10-7) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Trustan Times (IRE) 7-4fav (11-10) Held up, towards rear, blundered 5 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 29l behind Shadows Lengthen (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f Listed hcap ch (1) gd in Oct.
Uncle Jimmy (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on to chase winner run-in, no impression, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Peckhamecho (11-2) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Aubusson (FR) 7-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, headway before 4 out, every chance when not fluent last, kept on and held run-in, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Shelford (10-4) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) 13-2 (11-1) Held up mid-division, headway after 5 out to chase leaders, ridden before 2 out, one pace in 3rd from last, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Shelford (10-4) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Spirit Of Shankly 2-1fav (11-9) Prominent, left 2nd on bend after 5th, led 3 out, driven and clear flat, stayed on, won at Aintree 2m 4f (3) gd in Oct beating Lyvius (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Oscar Rock (IRE) 11-10fav (11-3) Tracked leader, pushed along before 2 out, soon chased winner, no impression, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Sausalito Sunrise (11-6) at Perth 3m nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Araldur (FR) 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened and behind, 15th of 17, 26l behind Return Spring (9-13) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Nov '13.
Big Easy (GER) 11-4fav (11-1) Mid-division, not fluent 4th, went close up when mistake 4 out, led before next, driven and headed flat, no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Katkeau (10-7) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) sft.
Sybarite (FR) 10-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, driven 4 out, effort on inside 2 out, soon ridden, led approaching last, stayed on flat, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct beating Henryville (11-1) by 2 3/4l, 17 ran.
One For Harry (IRE) 9-4fav (10-7) Prominent, led 7th, hit 2 out, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) sft beating Phoenix Returns (10-8) by 9l, 9 ran.
Awaywiththegreys (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Close up in 3rd, lost place 4th, in rear 6th, pushed along 10th, heaadway 13th, weakened from 4 out, 5th of 6, 37l behind Sausalito Sunrise (11-0) at Chepstow 3m nov chs (4) sft in Oct.
Shimla Dawn (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear and keen, headway before 3 out, switched left before last, soon chased winner, kept on and no impresssion, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Secrete Stream (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Upswing (IRE) 3-1fav (11-1) Held up towards rear and keen, pushed along before 3 out, headway before 2 out, weakened after last, last of 8, 16l behind Peckhamecho (11-2) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Dara Tango (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Soon mid-division, 6th before 3 out, closed last, kept on run-in, 4th of 9, 1l behind Our Vinnie (11-0) at Cork 3m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) in Nov '12.
Katkeau (FR) 9-2 (10-7) Held up towards rear, hampered 1st, headway before 9th, challenged after 2 out, led flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) sft beating Big Easy (11-1) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Kingsmere 13-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, pushed along after 3 out, stayed on flat, never on terms, 5th of 10, 5l behind Spirit Of Shankly (11-9) at Aintree 2m 4f (3) gd in Oct.
