mid-division until ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened from next
made all, hit 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on well
towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, some headway from next until one pace flat
tracked leaders, not fluent 4th and 5th, mistake 4 out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked winner, ridden approaching 2 out, soon one pace
always behing, lost touch from 5th
Along The Nile may be able to take this fiercely competitive contest but Roman Villa and Folk Tune must be respected and are not alone in that respect. Keith Reveley's runner has made a smooth transition to hurdling, winning his first two before running a fine race in defeat behind a gambled on winner over course and distance when the concession of 14lbs proved beyond him. He beat Folk Tune by 2 lengths on his penultimate start when in receipt of 10lbs so will need to improve to confirm the form. Ferdy Murphy's charge had previously chased home Roman Villa over course and distance but is 13lbs better off for 2 1/2 lengths. Double Vodka will need to be fighting fit to overcome an 8lb rise on his return whilst Astarador isn't ruled out. He was quite well beaten at Sandown but was entitled to need that run after a long time on the sidelines and he wasn't far off the top as a novice. A decent turn out for this valuable prize which could go the way of Along The Nile.
Marcel (FR) 20-1 (11-12) In touch, led briefly 8th, weakened quickly, 5th of 13, well behind Forest Green (10-4) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Double Vodka (IRE) 5-1jt-fav (11-4) Mid-division inside, headway 3 out, stayed on well to lead last, ridden out, won at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar beating Locksmith (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Astarador (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 13, 30l behind Five Dream (10-6) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) sft in Jan.
Folk Tune (IRE) 7-4fav (11-10) Towards rear, smooth headway approaching 3 out and every chance 2 out, soon ridden, kept on to lead last and headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Along The Nile (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Along The Nile 9-2 (11-13) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out to chase leaders, hit next, no impression, kept on and went 2nd run-in, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Halla San (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Border Tale 8-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from next, 6th of 12, 9l behind Culcabock (10-6) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
The Weaver (FR) 66-1 (10-11) In touch until weakened from 9th, behind and pulled up in race won by Native Coral (11-6) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan, 16 ran.
Premier Dane (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on, never near leaders, 7th of 17, 10l behind Jack The Giant (11-0) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gf in Dec.
Roman Villa (USA) 9-1 (10-5) In rear, headway 4 out, ridden in moderate 3rd entering straight, no extra and dropped to 4th from last, 4th of 28, 6l behind Barker (10-6) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 hvy in Jan.
Hue 20-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, some headway when brought down 2 out in race won by Five Dream (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
