held up in touch, headway 12th, led 2 out, clear before last
led to 4 out, ridden before 2 out, no extra from last
chased leaders until lost place from 2nd in rear from 3rd, never on terms after
held up in touch, led 4 out, headed 2 out, no chance with winner, lost 2nd place close home
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, ridden before last, kept on to take 2nd place close, no chance with winner
held up behind, kept on from last, went 4th place run-in
chased leader, lost place from 11th, tailed off 5 out
Cheltenham doesn't bring the best out of SILVINIACO CONTI but he's a class act on flatter tracks like this. He beat the enigmatic Wayward Prince in this in a canter two years ago and can come out on top again having won three Grade 1 contests since. The Giant Bolster finished just ahead of the selection in last season's Gold Cup but runs his best races at Cheltenham. Taquin Du Seuil had Double Ross behind when scoring at The Festival in March and the pair met again at Newton Abbot last month. The former needed the run while the latter was hampered and came down when in touch but this is a better race. Menorah has finished ahead of the selection a couple of times but is currently rated 9lb lower and has come off worst on the last three occasions they've met. Medermit doesn't stand much racing and looks up against to today.
Menorah (IRE) 11-4 (11-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 11th, led 15th, drawing clear when not fluent 3 out, stayed on well, won at Sandown 2m 6f lst chs (1) gs in Apr beating Gullinbursti (11-0) by 17l, 5 ran.
Silviniaco Conti (FR) 9-4 (11-7) Led, mistake 13th, headed after 4 out, led again next, edged left after 2 out, soon wandered, idled towards finish, ridden out, won at Aintree 3m 1f chs G1 (1) gd in Apr beating Dynaste (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
The Giant Bolster 14-1 (11-10) Held up behind in touch, pushed along 15th, headway under pressure 3 out, chased leaders when bumped next, rallied last, ridden and kept on to press front pair when carried slightly right towards finsh, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Lord Windermere (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Double Ross (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Led, not fluent 7th, headed 11th, close 2nd when hampered and fell next, in a race won by Wonderful Charm (11-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f int chs (2) sft in Oct, 5 ran.
Taquin Du Seuil (FR) 7-2 (11-10) In touch on outside, not fluent 5th or 9th, closed after 10th, left 2nd when hampered 12th, 3rd and ridden next, weakened 3 out where not fluent, 3rd of 5, 24l behind Wonderful Charm (11-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f int chs (2) sft in Oct.
Medermit (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden in 6th 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure into 4th last, no impression on leaders, 4th of 9, 8l behind Boston Bob (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f Grade 1 chs (1) in Apr.
Wayward Prince 66-1 (10-13) Prominent, hampered 9th (valentines), lost place when hit 17th, soon behind, tailed off when fell 3 out, in a race won by Pineau De Re (10-6) at Aintree 4m 3f hcap ch Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr, 40 ran.
