chased leaders, went 2nd 11th, led 3 out, bumped on landing last, headed flat, no extra
led, headed 4 out and outpaced, rallied 2 out, bumped on landing last, led flat, went clear
chased winner until not fluent 11th, challenged 4 out until after 2 out, stayed on same pace
always last, pecked 11th, outpaced before 4 out, well beaten after, jumped badly right 2 out
SHANTOU FLYER never travelled or jumped with any fluency when a beaten favourite at Warwick and he’s not won in more than two years. But he’s the class act in this and gets another chance, though is likely to be a short price again. Sir Jack Yeats ran in top races at Cheltenham and Aintree last year and won this 12 months ago, though had the benefit of a previous run. Mr Mercurial won three times last year and but hasn’t raced since May and has changed stables. Purcell's Bridge appears to have little chance unless the others badly under-perform.
Mr Mercurial (IRE) 11-2 (12-2) Held up behind, headway on outside 5 out, chased leaders after 3 out, soon ridden, switched inside before next, rallied to lead last, edged right flat, stayed on well final 100 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (5) gd in May beating Full Trottle (12-2) by 6l, 19 ran.
Shantou Flyer (IRE) 7-4fav (12-6) Mid-division, headway before 12th, lost place 4 out, no impression after, 5th of 12, 22 1/4l behind Hazel Hill (12-6) at Warwick 3m (6) gs in Jan.
Sir Jack Yeats (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, ridden from 2 out, weakened after last, 9th of 21, 31 3/4l behind Balnaslow (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f (2) sft in Apr.
Purcell's Bridge (FR) 5-1 (12-5) Stdy hdwy 15; led 2 out; stayed on wl, won at Friars Haugh 3m in Jan beating Killer Crow (12-5) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
