chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and weakened before 3 out, completely tailed off
mid-division, 6th halfway, 5th approaching 7th, ridden 3 out, no extra in 5th entering straight, kept on one pace
led, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway in 6th 4 out, 5th next, improved in 3rd before straight, travelled well to challenged before last and soon led, ridden clear approaching last, kept on strongly
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden 3 out, weakened and fell next
held up in rear, 8th 3 out, ridden in 6th and no impression entering straight, weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, 6th approaching 7th, headway to 4th 4 out, improved to 2nd 2 out, led entering straight, ridden and headed before last, no extra and kept on same pace
rear of mid-division throughout, never a factor
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th and no extra entering straight, kept on one pace
chased leader in 2nd, headway to lead after 3 out, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on same pace
This race has an open look to it without Punchestowns with Fiveforthree taking on the mantle of hotpot in the absence of Nicky Henderson's horse. However, Willie Mullins' charge was beaten twice at this meeting last year and he is very short having never raced at the trip. He could be exposed amongst this bunch of old stayers though obvious opposition is thin on the ground. Brave Inca has flopped in this race before, Nicanor has plenty to prove and British raiders Fair Along and Pettifour have had tough seasons. Whatuthink has had a recent spin on the Flat and could go well at a big price from the front but we'll chance DUC DE REGNIERE to bounce back to form. Henderson's horse might just have needed the run at Aintree but that should bring him on, he's fresher than most and brings solid form to the table looking at his run in the Long Walk at Ascot.
Brave Inca (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Chased leaders to 4th, well behind 3 out, 18th of 23, well behind Punjabi (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Duc De Regniere (FR) 11-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, ridden to chase leaders after 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 10, 29l behind Big Buck's (11-10) at Aintree 3m hdl G2 (1) gd.
Fair Along (GER) 10-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, went 2nd 3 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Big Buck's (11-10) at Aintree 3m hdl G2 (1) gd.
Fiveforthree (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway after 5th, switched right after 3 out, led approaching last, headed and not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Solwhit (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) gs.
Footy Facts (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Chased leader in close 2nd, close up 4 out, ridden to lead before 2 out, challenged 2 out and soon headed, 4th and no extra approaching last, kept on one pace, 6th of 10, 6l behind Coolcashin (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl Gr3 gd.
Nicanor (FR) 13-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway in 6th entering straight, 4th 2 out, ridden into close 3rd and mistake last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Coolcashin (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl Gr3 gd.
Pettifour (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, led 9th, headed 4 out, faded from 2 out, 4th of 10, 22l behind Big Buck's (11-10) at Aintree 3m hdl G2 (1) gd.
Powerstation (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) Mid-division early, towards rear halfway, 8th 3 out, headway to 6th 2 out, ridden and kept on well from last to go 3rd run-in, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Coolcashin (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl Gr3 gd.
Shakervilz (FR) 4-1 (11-8) Led, strongly pressed from 4 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra in 5th before last, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 5l behind Coolcashin (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl Gr3 gd.
Whatuthink (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) Led, not fluent 2nd, hit 8th, 9th and 10th, headed 3 out, still well there 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 14, 26l behind Big Buck's (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
