led and soon clear, narrowly headed 8th, weakened from next, tailed off 3 out
held up, weakened from 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased clear leader to after 2nd, settled in 3rd, one pace and no impression leaders when hit 2 out
tracked clear leader after 2nd, led narrowly 8th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon no impression and beaten
held up, closed up 6th, tracked leader 9th, led going easily approaching 2 out, soon in command, stayed on well
Deoch An Dorais has fitness on his side and can master the reappearing Sure Future, with Three Eagles and Existential likely to make their presence felt for a while. Nicky Henderson has been patient with Deoch An Dorais after his disastrous campaign last term, the son of Supreme Leader parting with his jockey on two occasions, and being pulled up on his final start at Ascot in April. He looked very much in need of the race when finally returning to the fray at Plumpton recently, not finding a great deal when let down. There is more to come though and you can be sure that his trainer will place the eight-year-old to good effect. Sure Future was a maiden on the level, but has scored three times over obstacles, most recently on his final outing here in December 2002. That was an effortless victory, and if it was not for his absence, he would make most appeal. Existential has a pipe-opener before going back over fences so is another best watched, but Three Eagles is likely to force the pace here, and as there was obviously something amiss when he was pulled up at Aintree recently, the six-year-old might just surprise us and be in with a shout turning for home. There are too many ifs and buts from a fitness point of view then, but we remain convinced that Deoch An Doras has more to offer than he has shown, and he is a tentative selection.
