held up in rear, gained a place 17th, never a threat
pressed leader, led briefly 7th, led 13th, joined between last two, headed and not pace of winner run-in, kept on for clear 2nd
made most until mistake and headed 13th, chased leader, ridden to challenge between last two, went right last, quickened to lead run-in, soon clear
raced wide tracking leaders, lost place when not fluent 11th, pulled up soon after
tracked leaders on inside, hit 12th, weakened and behind 17th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up in last pair, headway tracking leading pair 11th, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, ridden and no impression in 3rd run-in
NonRunner
First Flow didn’t get far when attempting to win the Ascot Chase for a second time in February and doesn’t quite look the force of old. Eldorado Allen has found life tough this season but is eased in grade a little and makes more appeal the Nicholls pair McFabulous and Solo. Hewick won the bet365 Gold Cup on this card last year but has failed to complete in two of his last three while Black Gerry steps out of handicap company. We’ll take a chance on FANTASTIC LADY, who has a bit to find at the weights but has had a very light campaign. She jumped for fun and was clear of the rest when second to an improver in the Topham Trophy at Aintree and does have form in this grade.
Eldorado Allen (FR) 10-1 (12-0) Prominent, led 2nd, ridden and headed after 3 out, 5th and no impression last, 5th of 15, 9l behind Midnight River (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
First Flow (IRE) 18-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, raced keenly, hit 2nd, mistake and unseated rider 6th, at Ascot 2m 5f (1) gs in Feb.
Hewick (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Chased leader, left in lead 17th, headed and losing place when fell 2 out, at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) sft in Mar.
McFabulous (IRE) 4-6fav (11-10) Soon taken wide, tracked leader, lost 2nd at 10th, starting to struggle when bad mistake 12th, pulled up before next, at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Solo (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Jumped well, made all and mostly clear, given breather going out on last circuit, went clear again before 2 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Kempton 2m 4f (1) gd in Feb beating Datsalrightgino (11-2) by 2l, 5 ran.
Fantastic Lady (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division out wide, rapid headway out wide 16th, ridden to dispute lead 18th, headed after elbow, no extra close home, 2nd of 29, 1 3/4l behind Bill Baxter (10-4) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Black Gerry (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Held up, rapid headway to challenge 2 out, soon led, clear last, ran on flat, held on well, won at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Apr beating Captain Tom Cat (10-13) by 1l, 6 ran.
