ran in snatches, chased leader, led after 3rd, headed 6th, lost 2nd at 11th, weakened 13th
chased leaders, weakened 4 out
pecked 1st, tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd 11th until 4 out, stayed on same pace in 3rd
keen tracking leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led approaching next, soon clear, easily
led until after 3rd, led again 6th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
held up in 6th, not fluent 11th, went modest 4th 3 out
Minella Daddy was placed at Aintree off a similar mark last summer and should be sharper for a recent outing at Uttoxeter where Hepijeu was also well beaten. The latter is not badly treated on his best form but that also applies to COUP DE PINCEAU, who finished runner-up off a higher mark in a tougher contest at Warwick last year and Paul Nicholls’ yard remains in fine form. El Presente has to put a couple of poor efforts behind him but has undergone wind surgery and makes most appeal of the rest.
Minella Daddy (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Chased leader, led 14th, slow and headed next, lost place before 4 out, 8th of 12, 23 3/4l behind Minellacelebration (11-7) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Coup De Pinceau (FR) 40-1 (11-4) Always behind, lost touch 17th, pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Hepijeu (FR) 11-1 (11-2) Mid-division on outside, closed 4th, lost place 16th, well beaten from 4 out, 7th of 12, 23 1/2l behind Minellacelebration (11-7) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
El Presente 9-2 (11-11) Raced wide, chased leaders, weakened 10th, behind and no chance after, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Vice Et Vertu (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Mistake 2nd, always towards rear, struggling 10th, tailed off before 4 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Benny's Secret (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Vendredi Trois (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Close up, ridden 5 out, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 6, dist behind Fr Humphrey (10-7) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
