always towards rear
chased leaders in 3rd, challenged last, ridden and every chance run-in, kept on and held towards finish
led to 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace
chased leaders, bumped 2nd, pushed along and weakened before 5 out
behind, headway before 4 out, one pace and no impression
towards rear, pushed along after 5 out, plugged on before 3 out, never dangerous
chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, in 5th before last, no impression
mid-division, headway before 13th, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace
in touch, weakened before 5 out, pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, not fluent 9th, weakened from 4 out
in rear, tailed off 6th, pulled up after 7th
close up, challenged 4 out, led 3 out, pressed run-in, held on towards finish, all out
always towards rear
mid-division, headway before 13th, ridden before 4 out, weakened before 2 out
in touch, unseated rider 3rd
always towards rear, pulled up
mid-division, weakened before 12th, tailed off
A cracking contest for the time of year which sees Minellacelebration bid to repeat last year’s success - he races off the same mark so can’t be ignored. Gingili was in fine form last year but this is a tough race in which to make his comeback. American ran in the Gold Cup after finishing second in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham and is a course and distance winner. Templehills was a comfortable winner at Fakenham but this trip has proved too far in the past. Aintree second On Tour is possibly also better over shorter trips but Amore Alato will have needed his run at Newbury in March and the mare Actinpieces never seems to run a bad race. Sizing Codelco ran well for a long way in the Scottish Grand National but Final Nudge fell in the Aintree equivalent. This is a big ask for Wolf Sword from out of the handicap so the vote goes to NO DUFFER, who is undoubtedly well treated at present and has been hinting at a revival.
Hammersly Lake (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Towards rear, effort before 3 out, never dangerous, pulled up before last, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Sizing Codelco (IRE) 28-1 (11-7) Prominent, mistake 22nd and 22rd, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 29, 20 1/4l behind Joe Farrell (10-6) at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Beeves (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Led to 3rd, with leader, left in lead again 12th, headed 5 out, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 16, dist behind Tiger Roll (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 6f (2) sft in Mar.
Actinpieces 33-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders from 3rd, ridden after 3 out, one pace next, stayed on to press for modest 4th flat, no impression, 5th of 20, 15 1/2l behind Missed Approach (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
On Tour (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, chased winner before last, kept on and always held, 2nd of 16, 4l behind Thomas Patrick (10-10) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Final Nudge (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Mid-division, fell 8th, (canal turn), at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) hvy in Apr.
No Duffer 20-1 (11-1) Pressed leader, led before 2 out until 2 out, chased winner, kept on same pace, no impression last, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Rathlin Rose (10-5) at Ascot 3m hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Templehills (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Hit 1st, raced keenly, tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 12th, switched right going well before 2 out where not fluent, led before jumped left last, kept on well run-in, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Apr beating Princeton Royale (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Silver Man 20-1 (11-2) Led until after 4th, mistake 9th, weakened after 16th, 13th of 20, dist behind Tempestatefloresco (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Indy Five (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Chased leaders on outside, fell 2nd, at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Gingili 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway before 13th, went 2nd from 4 out, led 2 out, kept on strongly, won at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Oct beating Dueling Banjos (11-12) by 4l, 16 ran.
Minellacelebration (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, mistake 2nd, lost place before 5 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, 34 1/4l behind Sir Mangan (11-2) at Bangor 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Mustmeetalady (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, 10th of 13, 30 1/4l behind Wakanda (11-0) at Doncaster 3m hcp lst (1) sft in Jan.
Amore Alato 4-1fav (11-3) Chased leaders on outside, went 2nd 15th until pushed along before 4 out, chased leading pair, stumbled badly 3 out, weakened into 4th last, 4th of 8, 13 1/2l behind Thomas Patrick (11-3) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Henllan Harri (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Led, jumped slowly early, headed 6th, chased leader until jumped left 3 out, weakened soon after, 6th of 9, 30 1/4l behind Daklondike (11-10) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Wolf Sword (IRE) 7-2fav (11-4) In touch, headway to chase leaders 4 out, led next, soon challenged, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 3m hcp (3) gs in Apr beating Gonalston Cloud (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
As De Pique (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway 2 out, chased leaders approaching last, never on terms, 5th of 12, 7 3/4l behind Chic Name (11-10) at Perth 3m 7f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
American (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Chased leaders on outside, not fluent 3rd, mistake 5th, disputing 5th 4 out, weakened next, 9th of 15, dist behind Native River (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) sft in Mar.
