prominent, led before 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, rallied last, stayed on strongly closing stages, not pace of winner
held up in touch, effort 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
tracked leader, led on bit approaching 2 out, soon quickened clear, not fluent last, ran on well
led, headed before 4 out, every chance next, outpaced before 2 out, no extra closing stages
settled well in rear, slow 2nd, headway 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, ridden to challenge before last, kept on under pressure
It's easy to forget that SILVINIACO CONTI was a very useful hurdler before embarking on a glittering career over fences. He hasn't raced over the smaller obstacles since 2011 but competes here off a 16lb lower mark than over fences so is hard to oppose. If Paul Nicholls' stable star needs the run, Brother Tedd is the one most likely to cash in as he won an ultra-competitive affair at Sandown at the end of last season and still has a bit of scope. Low Key won the Cesarewitch Trial on the Flat after scoring at Stratford and Fontwell before finishing in mid-division in the big race itself so can't be ignored but Newton Abbot Mister Fizz needs more and Kaysersberg has become hard to predict.
Silviniaco Conti (FR) 7-4fav (11-7) Jumped well, made all, quickened pace from 12th, ridden after 2 out, 1 length up last, just held on, won at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr beating Ballynagour (11-7) by hd, 7 ran.
Mister Fizz 8-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, weakened over 5f out, 11th of 16, 31l behind Bold Runner (11-4) at Goodwood 2m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Brother Tedd 9-1 (11-7) Raced wide in mid-division, headway on outside chasing leaders 3rd, 2nd and challenging 2 out, led last, driven and stayed on strongly run-in, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Apr beating Gran Maestro (10-8) by 3 1/4l, 18 ran.
Kaysersberg (FR) 25-1 (11-3) Chased leaders early, settled into mid-division, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up before 3 out, at Aintree 3m hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Low Key (IRE) 13-2fav (8-4) Held up in mid-division, headway over 3f out, chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 15th of 34, 6 1/4l behind Grumeti (8-2) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
