not fluent, led to 5th, tracked leader, hit next, ridden to lead again before 2 out, stayed on well flat
in touch, driven and outpaced 3 out, weakened from next
mid-division, pushed along 4 out, soon behind
behind, ridden 4 out, never on terms
tracked leaders, led 5th, mistake 4 out, headed 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace approaching last
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, kept on approaching last, ran on well flat
raced keenly, in touch, smooth headway 3 out, ridden and effort next, soon one pace
always behind
in touch, headway 3 out, ridden and every chance last, kept on until no extra towards finish
behind, mistake 4 out, never dangerous
held up, always towards rear
Prince du Beury gets the confident vote in the finale with Diamond Frontier and Andrew Nick rating the main dangers. The selection was a fair third behind Hora last time out, that form looks solid in the context of this race and he need only run up to that mark to win this with a little in hand. Diamond Frontier rates the main danger on his latest second behind Schelm but he has already indicated he would be suited by a longer trip. Andrew Nick is another that could go well on his latest second behind Blistering in a bumper; he is sure to have been well schooled for his hurdling debut and should be watched in the market. Of the remainder Speed Up looks sure to appreciate this faster ground so could improve but for the winner we are happy to return to Prince du Beury.
Andrew Nick (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Led, headed over 4f out, ridden to lead again over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Blistering (10-12) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) hvy in Jan.
Another Charmer (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) In touch, driven and outpaced after 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 11, well behind Classic Chic (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
Burnbank (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, mistake 4th, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Nodforms Paula (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd in Mar, 7 ran.
Castleroche (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Mistake 1st, always behind, tailed off 3 out, 9th of 12, well behind Currahee (10-4) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
Diamond Frontier (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) In touch, headway to lead before 3 out, jumped left from next, ridden and headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Schelm (11-0) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Marksmore Shahrastani gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler/bumper Sillymore and jumper More Likely.
Political Paddy 11-1 (11-1) Towards rear, chased leaders 3 out, soon ridden, kept on from 2 out, hard ridden flat, just failed, 2nd of 9, shd behind Supreme Builder (11-1) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Prince du Beury (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hit 3 out, headway next, stayed on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Hora (9-9) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn hdl (3) gd.
The Gasman (IRE) (11-7) fell in race won by Bally Wall (11-7) at Maralin 3m ire ptp sft in Feb '07, 5 ran.
Tuskar Rock (FR) 8-1 (11-1) Prominent, led approaching 6th, stumbled slightly 3 out, soon headed, weakened 2 out, 4th of 11, 20l behind The Vicar (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Karaburan (GER) 200-1 (10-12) Towards rear, never dangerous, 12th of 13, well behind Quick Will (10-5) at Kelso 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Solway Cove 100-1 (10-2) Mid-division, struggling final 7f, 9th of 18, 43l behind Peters Star (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (5) gd in May.
Jorveybrook (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Held up, struggling 8th, never dangerous, 7th of 15, well behind Mill Side (10-9) at Newcastle 3m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Speed Up (FR) 6-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, hit 2nd, never dangerous, 7th of 10, well behind McGruders Cross (11-7) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.