held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 6th, went 2nd 3 out, every chance after next, held when blundered last, faded
in rear when fell 4 out
mid-division, weakened 4 out, soon beaten
always prominent, led after 4 out, hard driven when challenged last, headed and no extra towards finish
keen in rear, headway on outside before 5th, weakened after 4 out
chased leaders, driven to challenge approaching last, every chance flat, kept on under pressure
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 5th, not fluent next, outpaced 4 out, rallying when mistake 2 out, stayed on well closing stages
in touch, outpaced 4 out, rallied after next, chased leaders 2 out, soon ridden to challenge, ran on to lead towards finish
led until before 3 out, weakening when hit next
tracked leader, lost place before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders after next, stayed on same pace approaching last
Cyrus Darius has undergone wind surgery since struggling in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle in April and has switched to Colin Tizzard’s yard. Garo De Juilley won a Grade 3 handicap at Chepstow last month while Chti Balko went close over a shorter trip at Ayr. Mr Antolini will be sharper for a recent reappearance and Cliffs Of Dover has enjoyed a successful year on the Flat since being pulled-up when last over hurdles but another chance goes to BLACK MISCHIEF (NAP). Making a strong challenge when falling at the last at Market Rasen on his comeback, Harry Fry’s charge looks capable of scoring off his current mark with Richard Johnson taking over the reins today.
Cyrus Darius 12-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, 5th after 4 out, headway when not fluent 3 out, bumped before last, 5th and no extra when not fluent at the last, weakened, 5th of 9, 21 3/4l behind L'Ami Serge (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr.
John Constable (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Always in last pair, mistake 2nd, never a factor, 6th of 7, 27l behind Verdana Blue (10-11) at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) gd in Nov.
Ch'tibello (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 5 out, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 9, 15 1/4l behind Aspen Colorado (10-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Chti Balko (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leader until 3rd, stayed handy, led 3 out, headed flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Le Patriote (11-5) at Ayr 2m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Cliffs Of Dover 33-1 (8-6) Led and soon clear, came towards stands side and reduced advantage over 6f out, headed over 5f out, soon weakened and behind, tailed off, 27th of 33, dist behind Low Sun (9-2) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp stks (2) gf in Oct.
Mr Antolini (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) In touch in mid-division, hit 5th, closed 3 out, not fluent last, no extra and lost 4th close home, 5th of 20, 6 1/4l behind First Assignment (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Garo De Juilley (FR) 25-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway on outside 7th, led 4 out, went clear after 2 out, edged left before last and flat, driven out, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gd in Oct beating Point Of Principle (11-3) by 1 3/4l, 18 ran.
Black Mischief 11-2 (11-12) Keen in rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, challenging in 3rd when fell last, at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Admiral Barratry (FR) Evensfav (10-12) Took keen hold in last, headway after 3 out, hanging left and wide on last bend, kept hanging left after, went 2nd flat, pressed winner, just held, 2nd of 4, nk behind Hidden Glen (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct.
Sakhee's City (FR) 18-1 (11-6) In touch on outside, lost place halfway, soon struggling in rear, tailed off 3 out, last of 6, 34 1/4l behind Innocent Touch (11-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Magic Dancer 5-1 (10-9) Behind, headway after 3 out, under pressure when hit last, never on terms, 6th of 9, 16 1/4l behind Fidux (11-2) at Ascot 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Nov.