mid-division on outer, headway to be handy 3 out, ridden before bypassed 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, went 4th after 3 out, led bypassed 2 out, good jump last and drew away run-in, readily
front mid-division, pushed along and lost position after 4 out, in rear 3 out, soon pulled up
prominent, outpaced after 3 out, plugged on, never a danger
handy, led 4th, pushed along and headed home turn, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, prominent 4 out, led home turn, headed bypassed 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner from final flight
tracked leaders, ridden and lost ground after 3 out, soon behind
led, headed 4th, weakened quickly next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, pushed along and no response home turn, pulled up home straight
towards rear, ridden and lost touch 3 out, pulled before last
in rear, never in contention
JOKER DE MAI, whose dam is from the family of Bristol De Mai, completed a double over fences in France in March and will have come on plenty for his run over timber at Newbury last month so looks the one to beat. I'd Like To Know made a winning debut over hurdles at Worcester in October last year before running in a Grade 2. Beaten a short-head at Fontwell in January, he should make a bold bid to defy the long absence. ROCCO ROYALE, who improved with every run last winter and landed a Fontwell maiden in April, could be well handicapped on his return from a long break while Colonial Empire won a Class 2 at Taunton in February so is greatly respected.
Zacony Rebel (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Always in rear, ridden with a circuit to go, tailed off when unseated rider 11th, at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Joker De Mai (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Rear mid-division, some headway 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 21l behind Willmount (11-0) at Newbury 2m (3) gs in Nov.
Diablo De Rouhet (FR) 100-1 (11-12) In rear, in touch, tailed off quickly 4 out, pulled up, at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
I'd Like To Know (IRE) 17-2 (11-8) Raced keenly, led, not fluent 5th or 3 out, hung left before last and hard pressed, hung left flat, just denied, 2nd of 10, shd behind Churchills Boy (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Jan.
Kansas Du Berlais (FR) 11-2 (11-6) Held up in rear, closed 3 out, no extra from 2 out, 4th of 8, 18 1/4l behind Operation Manna (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Awaythelad (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway out wide chasing leaders 6th, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 7th of 11, 19 1/4l behind Rebel Intentions (10-3) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Colonial Empire 15-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders on inside, ridden before last, stayed on in 3rd run-in, no chance with winner, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Matchless (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Hallwood (FR) 200-1 (11-7) Prominent, mistake 4th, lost place after next, pulled up before 7th, at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Brook Bay (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Raced keenly towards rear, hampered 2 out, some headway on inside before the last where awkward and no impression, 8th of 17, 13 1/4l behind Impose Toi (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Rocco Royale (IRE) 11-10fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, challenged 4th, led 2 out, stayed on well, going away towards finish, won at Fontwell 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Apr beating Scene One (11-6) by 2l, 6 ran.
Naturally High (FR) 40-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, pushed along when mistake 6th, soon beaten, pulled up before 2 out, at Taunton 2m hcp (4) sft in Apr.
