tracked leading pair, went 2nd 6th, hit next, challenged 14th, led 4 out, strongly pressed last, stayed on gamely under pressure run-in
held up in rear, pushed along and struggling after 4 out, plugged on run-in, never involved
chased leader until 6th, chased leading pair until 15th, outpaced in 4th after 4 out, plugged on into modest 3rd run-in
sometimes jumped left, led until 4 out, ridden and lost 2nd approaching next, soon driven and no chance with leading duo, weakened into 4th run-in
held up in 5th, hit 9th, weakened after 4 out, behind next, tailed off
not always fluent, jumped slowly 1st, chased leading trio, went 3rd 15th, 2nd before 3 out, upsides and every chance when hit last, kept on run-in but always held
held up in 6th, pecked 4th (water), closer order 12th, outpaced 4 out, plugged on run-in, never involved
This intermediate distance clearly suits Menorah as Philip Hobbs' charge has won both previous renewals. But Valseur Lido is likely to be a warm favourite as he's won twice at a higher level and his latest second behind stablemate Vautour in the Ryanair at Cheltenham is the best piece of recent form on offer, though connections would have been hoping for some rain. SAPHIR DU RHEU made mistakes when well behind Cue Card at Aintree but it's possible that first-time blinkers will help him concentrate better. He undoubtedly has the class to become a top-class chaser and should start at decent odds here – he is definitely more interesting than stablemates Wonderful Charm and Rocky Creek. Third Intention is a smart handicapper but unlikely to be good enough today and Ballycasey has gone backwards this season.
Menorah (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd from 13th until before hitting 15th, driven 3 out, edged right and one pace before last, 3rd of 4, 17l behind Don Poli (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f lst (1) sft in Dec.
Saphir Du Rheu (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Led to 2nd, mid-division, in 4th from 4 out and not fluent, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, dist behind Cue Card (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Rocky Creek (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Behind, blundered 11th, pulled up before next, at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Third Intention (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, 3rd approaching last, ridden and kept on same pace, no impression with front pair approaching elbow, 3rd of 29, 13l behind Eastlake (10-11) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Wonderful Charm (FR) 40-1 (11-3) Mid-division, weakened and pulled up before 21st, at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Valseur Lido (FR) 11-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, steady headway from 12th, tracking leaders 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on from 2 out, no impression on winner, took 2nd last strides, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Vautour (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Mar.
Ballycasey (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) Mid-division, blundered 17th, chased leaders 3 out, soon outpaced, no impression when mistake and unseated rider after next, at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
