tracked leaders in 3rd, ran in snatches, pushed along before 9th and reminders, weakened 3 out
led, blundered and headed 4 out, soon lost place, weakened after 3 out
with leader, hit 7th, left in lead 4 out, clear after 3 out, headed 2 out, ridden before last, one pace
in rear and in touch, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, clear from last
Nonrunner
Utopie Des Bordes is sure to be popular here after her second to Ubak in a Grade 2 at Aintree. She was fifth in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham earlier over this trip but, on a line through African Gold, that gives her plenty to find with BEEVES. Donald McCain's gelding returned from a break to win a handicap by 15 lengths at Ayr last month and looks a useful stayer in the making. It took Neltara six attempts to get off the mark over hurdles and he's upped in class here while Imperial Vic will also have to step up on what he's achieved so far, though rarely runs a bad race. Kris Cross was pulled up last time at Aintree and may also be out of his depth in this.
Beeves (IRE) 5-1fav (11-0) Prominent, ridden after 4 out, led before 2 out, clear before last, kept on strongly, won at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar beating Green Flag (11-5) by 15l, 13 ran.
Imperial Vic (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Made all, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Abbey Storm (11-5) by 2l, 10 ran.
Neltara 3-1 (10-12) Made all, drawing clear when not fluent 3 out, not fluent next, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 3m nov hdl (4) gd beating Ballinvarrig (10-12) by 18l, 11 ran.
Utopie Des Bordes (FR) 9-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led before next, ridden and headed 2 out, went 2nd again flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 16l behind Ubak (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gs.
Kris Cross (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, pushed along after 8th, well beaten after 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by At Fishers Cross (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gs, 9 ran.
