tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, kept on well
held up towards rear, mistake 5 out, pushed along before 3 out, kept on and went 3rd from last, just held on to 3rd place close home
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out in 3rd place, kept on same pace
led, headed 2 out, kept on from last
tracked leader, went 3rd before 4 out, weakened from 2 out
held up in rear, pushed along before 3 out, never dangerous
Royal Plaza has struggled over hurdles since winning at Warwick in November and makes his chasing debut. Such A Legend finally won over fences when scoring at Chepstow recently and should go well again but BREATH OF BLIGHTY is preferred. The latter was having only his fifth start over the larger obstacles when winning at Kempton last month and Paul Webber’s charge can defy a 3lb rise. Minella Aris has won over hurdles here and is preferred to fellow chasing debutant Marquis Of Carabas.
Minella Aris (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd before 4th, led 4 out, joined next, headed 2 out,soon ridden in 3rd weakened before the last where mistake, 6th of 12, 17 3/4l behind Rocky's Treasure (11-2) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Royal Plaza 11-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, took keen hold, effort when mistake 3 out, soon no impression, held in 3rd when fell last, at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Marquis Of Carabas (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Prominent, led place after 4th, closed before next, 4th and no extra approaching 2 out, 4th of 8, 13 1/2l behind Hint Of Mint (11-8) at Taunton 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Such A Legend 10-3 (11-4) Made all, clear 5 out until 2 out, clear again approaching last, driven out, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (3) gf in Apr beating Tempestatefloresco (11-12) by 1l, 4 ran.
Breath Of Blighty (FR) 7-1 (11-6) Chased leading pair, stumbled 4 out, 2nd next, led before 2 out, 1 length ahead last, stayed on well, driven out, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Clondaw Banker (11-6) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Washed Ashore (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Towards rear, blundered and weakened 5th, never a factor, 8th of 12, 20 1/4l behind Pure Vision (10-8) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.