tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, 4th and no impression from next
mid-division on outside, awkward 2nd, lost place 4th, ridden and well beaten before 3 out
pressed winner until 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, pushed along after 7th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd 3 out, ridden after 2 out, 3rd from last, stayed on same pace final 100 yards
held up towards rear, outpaced from 6th, well beaten 3 out
made all, not fluent 5th, mistakes 2 out and last, driven and stayed on flat
held up in mid-division, not fluent 3rd, closed 6th, weakened before 3 out
held up, headway 3 out, 3rd when mistake 2 out, went 2nd last, edged right flat, stayed on final 100 yards, unable to challenge
held up in rear, took keen hold, hanging right on bend before 3 out, headway before 2 out, never on terms, pressing for well held 4th when mistake last, weakened flat
All four runners who contested this last year turned out to be useful and this is another potentially informative contest. Royal Vacation was a lucky winner at Wetherby and looks to have it all to do under a penalty while Board Of Trade's Fontwell conqueror couldn't follow up under a penalty earlier this week. But there is more to come from Ascot fifth Chartbreaker and Minella Awards, second in a point-to-point at Tallow last year, was an expensive purchase and has been sent to Nicky Henderson, who won last year's renewal. Ballyhenry was two from two in bumpers last season and beat Royal Vacation on debut while Bigbadjohn and Ten Sixty are worth monitoring for market support. Point-to-point and bumper winner CHAMPERS ON ICE failed to quicken with the more-experienced Shantou Village in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham but that was a very promising start to his hurdling career and he can go one better here.
Royal Vacation (IRE) 8-11fav (10-12) Chased leader until approaching 4 out, chased leading pair, 2nd again when left in lead next, driven clear before last, won at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gs in Oct beating Bollin Ace (10-12) by 3 3/4l, 14 ran.
Arthur's Gift (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Took keen hold, tracking leading pair, not fluent 2 out, ridden between last 2, weakened soon after, 5th of 13, 10 3/4l behind Potters Corner (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (5) gd in Sep.
Ballyhenry (IRE) 2-5fav (11-9) Led 1f, tracked clear leader, took closer order over 6f out, led on bit over 2f out, hard driven over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 2m (6) sft in Mar beating Flashjack (11-2) by 2l, 5 ran.
Bigbadjohn (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders and ran freely early, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd entering straight, stayed on to challenge 1 1/2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Listowel 2m 4f hvy in Jun beating Kilkishen (12-0) by 2l, 9 ran.
Board Of Trade 5-6fav (10-12) Chased leading trio, 3rd approaching 5th, pushed along in 2nd after 3 out, one pace and no impression before next, hit last, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Bigmartre (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Oct.
Ceann Sibheal (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 16, dist behind Toby Lerone (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov.
Champers On Ice (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Led, not fluent 5th, joined 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 15l behind Shantou Village (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Nov.
Chartbreaker (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, driven and outpaced after 3 out, plugged on, 5th of 9, 26 3/4l behind Altior (11-4) at Ascot 2m fll (3) gd in Oct.
Minella Awards (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Chsd ldrs, 3rd aftr a mile, 2nd 6out, chall 3out, cl 2nd & still ev ch when mstk last, so flat, 2nd of 7, nk behind Crazyheart (11-9) at Tallow 3m mdn gs in Feb.
Ten Sixty (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, headway over 3f out, soon challenged, ridden over 1f out, kept on and every chance final furlong, held near finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Premier Bond (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m (6) gs in Apr.
My Diamond (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, lost place after 5th, weakened after 3 out, 10th of 12, 35 3/4l behind Modus (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f (3) gd in Nov.
Talk Of The South (IRE) 2-1 (12-2) Pr, disp ld 1/2way, ev ch in cl 3rd aftr 4out, left cl 2nd 2out, eff to go upsides ldr last, all out flat, just failed, 2nd of 11, hd behind Rebel Benefit (12-2) at Ballyragget 3m sft in Mar.
