chased leaders, went 3rd at 7th, led after 3 out, awkward 2 out, ridden and kept on run-in
held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 3 out, went 2nd after 3 out until pushed along before 2 out, kept on same pace and no chance with leading duo
held up towards rear, plugged on from 2 out, never a threat
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 5th, weakened 3 out
pulled hard in rear, tailed off when blundered 7th, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, went 4th 2 out, plugged on but never any chance with leading duo
raced wide and always towards rear
jumped left, led set strong pace and soon clear, reduced lead when hung badly left almost ran off the the track and headed after 3 out, pulled up
chased clear leader until after 3 out, weakened soon after
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd after 3 out, 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden one pace and no impression run-in
chased leaders, stumbled 5th, weakened 3 out
mid-division on outside, headway chasing leaders approaching 7th, one pace in 4th and no impression when blundered 2 out, weakened
held up in last pair, plugged on run-in, never involved
Vesperal Dream has had two starts over fences since joining Paul Nicholls but is back over hurdles here. He may still need more time and GARDE LA VICTOIRE sets a decent standard in this. He's giving 12lb and upwards to all of his rivals but this is a massive drop in class after two runs in Grade 1 company. Almost Gemini went close at Wetherby last month and looks to be improving but Ring Eye has his first start over hurdles since joining John O'Shea from Tom Taaffe.
Garde La Victoire (FR) 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division on outside, driven before 3 out, weakened after next, 14th of 18, 19l behind Vautour (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Almost Gemini (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, led before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Askamore Darsi (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Ernest Speak (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up towards rear, blundered 4th, soon struggling, no chance when fell 2 out, in a race won by Doctor Harper (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Garton Star (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, weakened before 5 out, tailed off approaching 3 out, 5th of 8, well behind Monkey Kingdom (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Ollisu Lad (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Took keen hold and held up in rear, outpaced 8f out, no chance after, continued well tailed off, last of 5, well behind Otago Trail (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) hvy in Feb.
Rattleandrun (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway 5 out, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, 48l behind At Reception (10-10) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Ring Eye (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Soon raced in moderate 6th, closer order from before 3 out, no impression from after next, moderate 3rd and kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 15, 18l behind Roja Dove (11-1) at Downpatrick 2m 2f mdn hdl gf in Sep.
Stella's Fella 100-1 (11-1) Mid-division, took keen hold, not fluent 3rd and when losing place 5th, tailed off next, 9th of 11, well behind My Wigwam Or Yours (11-1) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Strategic Exit 200-1 (10-12) Hampered 1st, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out (usual 3 out), in a race won by It's A Doddle (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec, 14 ran.
Vesperal Dream (FR) 4-1fav (10-8) Close up, weakened from 5 out, 6th of 8, 20l behind Flaming Charmer (10-9) at Chepstow 2m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Dream Destiny 100-1 (10-7) Behind, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, last of 14, 34l behind Ginger Fizz (10-9) at Chepstow 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Playhara (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden after 4 out, weakened before next, 5th of 7, 36l behind Fabrika (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Italian Symphony (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along 5f out, lost place over 3f out, 11th of 15, 27l behind One For The Guv'nr (11-4) at Kempton 2m n h flat (4) std in Jan.
