hung right, held up in rear, headway 13th, weakened before 2 out
disputed lead until 1st, tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th until 12th, lost place 4 out, plugged on from 2 out, went 3rd last, no impression and lost 3rd towards finish
disputing lead when reminders 1st, chased leader, led before jumping right 2nd, headed 4th, reminder 8th, effort 12th, weakened before 2 out
raced in 4th, mistake 3rd, went 3rd 10th until before 12th, soon struggling
held up in rear on outside, headway before 12th, led after 3 out, headed after last, edged right, no impression on winner towards finish
led until before 2nd where bumped, led 4th, headed after 3 out, beaten from 2 out, lost 3rd last, regained 3rd towards finish
held up towards rear, headway approaching 12th, outpaced 13th, not fluent next, rallied after 3 out, led after last, stayed on well
Present Man won one of these at Chepstow, with Theatre Guide well behind, before finishing sixth in the Badger Beers at Wincanton. He clearly retains plenty of ability but is looking a couple of pounds too high at present. Vintage Clouds was taken to task by the handicapper after winning last season’s Peter Marsh but is starting to slip down the ratings again and could reverse Aintree running with Theatre Guide. Strong Pursuit has had his problems but could figure if fully wound up but Nicky Henderson holds a strong hand. VALTOR ran better than the final result suggests in a Grade 3 at Ascot on his reappearance so is preferred to Gold Present, who refused to race at Sandown 10 days ago and hasn’t won in almost three years.
Valtor (FR) 9-1 (11-1) Chased leaders until 3 out, weakened quickly, 12th of 14, dist behind Regal Encore (10-10) at Ascot 3m hcp (1) sft in Oct.
Gold Present (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Refused to race, at Sandown 3m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Vintage Clouds (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, slow and reminder 3rd, behind 14th, 7th of 12, dist behind Minellacelebration (11-3) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Present Man (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leader, led 3rd until next, chased leader until 13th, remained well there, pushed along in dispute of 3rd when badly hampered 3 out, tried to recover but weakened before next, 6th of 13, 19 1/4l behind El Presente (11-8) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Nov.
Theatre Guide (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway after 15th, no extra from 3 out, 6th of 12, 24l behind Minellacelebration (11-3) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Strong Pursuit (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Led and set strong pace, clear with rival, reduced lead 11th (water), reached for 14th and headed, lost 2nd and weakening when mistake 4 out, 6th of 10, 36 1/4l behind Copperhead (11-11) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Potters Legend 16-1 (10-1) Held up in touch, weakened 20th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, at Uttoxeter 4m 2f hcp lst (1) hvy in Mar.
