The once-useful Shan Blue managed just one run last season and was pulled up here in the Rowland Meyrick on Boxing Day - he has questions to answer now. Frero Banbou and War Lord proved frustrating to follow last season but Arthur's Quay has won three times this year and Dubai Days is receiving weight all round despite ending the last campaign with a flourish. No Risk Des Flos has a terrific record over course and distance and Gloire D'athon is 5-9 over fences but FAMOUS BRIDGE won twice here in March and there should be more to come this term.
Shan Blue (IRE) 5-2fav (11-3) Prominent, dropped to midfield before 2nd, dropped to rear 9th, pulled up before 11th, at Wetherby 3m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
War Lord (GER) 9-2 (12-0) Prominent, pushed along and outpaced home turn, behind last, 5th of 6, 20 3/4l behind Black Gerry (11-10) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Apr.
No Risk Des Flos (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, plugge don in modest 3rd early run-in, 3rd of 5, 7 3/4l behind Hudson De Grugy (10-5) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Frero Banbou (FR) 14-1 (10-6) Prominent, ridden and losing place when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 12th of 23, 17 1/4l behind Seddon (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Gloire D'Athon (FR) 11-1 (11-7) Midfield, ridden before 3 out where disputed 3rd, 2 lengths down 2 out where jumped right, soon no extra and weakened, 7th of 14, 25l behind Born Famous (10-3) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jul.
Arthur's Quay (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Prominent, led after last, ridden home straight and forged clear, stayed on well, won at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Jul beating Arctic Ambition (10-7) by 5 1/2l, 10 ran.
Famous Bridge (IRE) 6-5fav (11-3) Chased leaders, took closer order 12th, led approaching 4 out, went clear with runner-up approaching next, ridden before 2 out, jumped left last, kept on flat, won at Wetherby 3m hcp (3) sft in Mar beating Lord Of Kerak (10-13) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Dubai Days (IRE) 3-1fav (10-5) Held up in rear, headway when not clear run before 4 out, every chance when mistake 2 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Richmond Lake (11-4) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
