chased leaders, dropped to 5th at 8th, headway in modest 3rd when blundered and lost 3rd 2 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway and in touch 5th, went close 4th at 8th, went 3rd 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, led before 2 out, soon clear, easily
chased leader until before 8th, went 2nd again 12th until before 3 out, went 3rd 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd before 8th until 12th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when blundered last
close 5th on inside, blundered badly almost fell and unseated rider 3rd
led, not fluent 7th (water), ridden and headed before 2 out, no chance with winner
held up in rear, brought down 3rd
in rear, mistake 2nd, never going after, tailed off when hampered 10th, pulled up soon after
Nonrunner
The most competitive race on the card and there will be plenty wanting to stick with Lough Derg Way after his comeback success over course and distance last month. He was making his chasing debut that day and is open to obvious improvement. Papradon made all for a game victory at Towcester following a short break and will handle the quicker ground while Minella Ranger won over track and trip in March. Noble Chic's recent course win came in a selling hurdle, however, and Inishrush has been off the track since a second here last July while Sadler's Star is out of form. AMUSE ME isn't an easy ride and let supporters down again here last time when finding little off the bridle but McCoy has been on board for six of his eight career wins and we'll give the grey one final chance to get it right. Sound Stage is well handicapped but on the downgrade and Aikideau has plenty of weight for what he's achieved.
Aikideau (FR) 9-2fav (9-9) Chased leaders, bumped and lost several places 4th, outpaced before 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, no impression, 5th of 14, 21l behind Fairy Rath (10-6) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in May.
Lough Derg Way (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders before 10th, led run-in, kept on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f nov chs 0-110 (4) gf in May beating Beckhani (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Sound Stage 7-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway before 5 out, went 3rd before 3 out, chased winner last, kept on and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Full Of Joy (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Sadler's Star (GER) 25-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, challenged 4 out to next, no impression from 2 out, 6th of 8, 30l behind Merrion Square (11-7) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May.
Amuse Me 3-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, headway before 5 out, soon chased leaders, staying on and switched when blundered in 4th 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Chase Gate (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Inishrush (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Led, slow 7th, driven after 3 out, headed next, kept on same pace, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 9, 13l behind Lansdowne Princess (10-2) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jul.
Noble Chic 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, led before 2 out, clear before last, kept on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May beating Mount Vesuvius (11-7) by 13l, 10 ran.
Minella Ranger (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Tracked leaders, headway 11th, went 2nd after 3 out, led before next, clear last, ridden out, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Mar beating Gleannacreim (9-13) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Papradon 4-1 (10-13) Made all, ridden last, driven out, won at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in May beating Autumm Spirit (11-2) by 4l, 5 ran.
