led, not fluent 5th, headed 3 out, well held 3rd before 2 out, weakened flat
travelled well in close 2nd, led 3 out, clear before 2 out, edged left approaching last and flat, stayed on well
tracked leaders on outside, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, not fluent 7th or 8th, stayed on approaching 2 out, 3rd last, no impression on winner
chased leaders, not fluent 4th, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd before next, no impression on winner, stayed on
held up, closed before 6th, niggled along next, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
Past winners of this have included The New One and Willoughby Court while Paisley Park was second 12 months ago. Nicky Henderson sent out last year’s winner and is confident of a repeat from BIRCHDALE (NAP), hugely impressive when sauntering clear of subsequently-successful stablemate Clarendon Street over 2m5f here on his debut under Rules. He’s already a winner between the flags so the step up in trip won’t be a problem. Tidal Flow kept finding when following up a Kempton victory at Newbury and is another likely to enjoy the longer distance. Stoney Mountain has done nothing but improve since going hurdling while Rockpoint won in this grade at Cheltenham, though that’s earned him a penalty. Beakstown, Champagne Court and Finawn Bawn are all useful but will need to their up their game again to get competitive in this.
Rockpoint 11-2 (10-12) Prominent, led 8th, ridden and in command flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Dec beating Lisnagar Oscar (10-12) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Beakstown (IRE) 11-10fav (11-3) Chased leaders, took closer order 3 out, ridden to challenge after next, every chance after last, just failed, 2nd of 6, hd behind Ask Ben (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 6f (2) sft in Dec.
Champagne Court (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leader until pushed along 2f out, weakened inside final 2f, 5th of 9, 15 3/4l behind Angels Breath (11-0) at Ascot 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Finawn Bawn (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, led 2 out, clear when stumbled on landing last, ridden out, won at Bangor 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec beating Al Destoor (10-12) by 9l, 12 ran.
Stoney Mountain (IRE) 1-3fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, 2nd approaching 5 out, not fluent next, led before 2 out, drew clear last, easily, won at Southwell 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec beating Golden Whisky (10-12) by 11l, 7 ran.
Tidal Flow 7-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led 2nd until before 4th, chased leader, led again after 4 out, headed next, chased leader, led again 2 out, driven out, won at Newbury 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec beating Downtown Getaway (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Birchdale (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway before 6th, led 2 out, edged left last, went clear flat, readily, won at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) gs in Dec beating Clarendon Street (11-0) by 4l, 17 ran.
