led, mistake and skewed 9th, soon headed, dropped to 3rd before 11th, not fluent 15th and lost ground, soon pushed along and struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
handy, led before 10th, faced strong challenge before 4 out, forged 1 length ahead and going best approaching last where not fluent, ridden and headed run-in, no extra closing stages
tracked leaders on outer, dropped to 4th but in touch before 7th, shaken up and outpaced by front pair before 3 out, soon well behind
tracked leaders, hit 5th, went 2nd before 11th, strongly pressed leader before 4 out, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and 1 length down approaching last, stayed on well and led run-in, asserted towards finish
BRAVEMANSGAME and Ahoy Senor met on three occasions last term with the Nicholls’ stayer coming out best each time, including in this contest. There is no reason to expect a role reversal today. Midnight River won Grade 3 handicaps at Cheltenham and Aintree last season so is certainly no mug but still has a bit to prove at the highest level. A smart staying hurdler, Gentlemansgame has had a run this season and is totally unexposed over fences but it will be a shock if he overturns the market principals.
Ahoy Senor (IRE) 11-4 (11-10) Jumped right at times, led, mistake 6th, slow and headed 7th, led before next, not fluent 12, 13th or 14th, went 6 lengths clear after 2 out, reduced lead when in tight to last and not fluent, headed flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Shishkin (11-10) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Bravemansgame (FR) 10-3 (11-10) Disputed lead, led before 3rd, joined 4 out, led next, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, not fluent at last, headed after last, no impression on winner inside final furlong, 3rd at line, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Fastorslow (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Midnight River 15-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, closed 11th, switched right and led last, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Apr beating Bowtogreatness (10-2) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Gentlemansgame 7-4 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, pushed along entering straight, ridden and no impression on winner before last, kept on well run-in, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Easy Game (11-8) at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) hvy in Sep.
