shade keen, made all, big jump 2 out, over one length ahead last, hard ridden and strongly pressed run-in, battled on gamely
held up in last pair, closer on inside into 3rd at 8th, went 2nd turning in, ridden before 2 out, driven between last two, over 1 length down when not fluent last, edged right and battled on well run-in, just held
waited with in rear, gained a place 4 out, never any chance, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
tracked leading pair, disputed 2nd from 1st, outright 2nd at 6th until pushed along turning in, outpaced 3 out, no chance with leading duo
disputed 2nd until 6th, chased leaders, weakened and behind 4 out, left remote 4th next
PAISLEY PARK was only third behind winner Thomas Darby in this last year but is 6lb better off and won the race in 2019 before finishing second in 2020. Emma Lavelle’s star stayer came out best against Champ on a couple of occasions last season and it may be worth taking a chance on his fitness today. Proschema easily beat Thomas Darby at Wetherby but the latter does enjoy a turnaround in the weights. Dashel Drasher is a prolific winner over hurdles and fences but is not proven over the trip with Tea Clipper, who hasn’t raced over hurdles since April last year, also arguably better over slightly shorter distances.
Champ (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Not much room 1st, held up towards rear, hanging left and struggling after 4 out, driven 3 out, plugged on approaching last, went never dangerous 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 21 3/4l behind Sire Du Berlais (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Paisley Park (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and no impression in 6th entering straight, kept on run-in, 5th of 7, 6 1/4l behind Klassical Dream (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Proschema (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Held up in last and on outside, headway going well 3 out, went 2nd next, led last, quickened clear flat, easily, won at Wetherby 3m (1) gs in Oct beating Thomas Darby (11-8) by 10l, 6 ran.
Thomas Darby (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Mostly 3rd, not fluent 5th, challenged 3 out, led before next, ridden and headed last, not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Proschema (11-2) at Wetherby 3m (1) gs in Oct.
Tea Clipper (IRE) 5-1fav (11-11) Mid-division, went 5th after 14th, chased leader before 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Our Power (11-2) at Ascot 3m hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Dashel Drasher 3-1 (11-2) Led, jumped left 1st, ridden before 2 out, headed narrowly last, led again flat, stayed on gamely, won at Aintree 2m 4f (2) sft in Nov beating Voix Du Reve (11-2) by 2 3/4l, 4 ran.
