tracked leader, led 3rd until 7th, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, challenged next, led 7th, clear after 3 out, eased towards finish
held up, headway on outside 1st, not fluent 3rd, lost place next, headway 7th, went 2nd after 9th, no impression on winner from 3 out, mistake last
held up, ridden after 6th, headway after 9th, mistake 3 out, went 3rd last, no chance with winner, closing on 2nd towards finish
led until 3rd, lost place after 6th, behind from next, pulled up after 9th
mid-division, headway after 3rd, 3rd when not fluent 3 out, no impression on winner, weakened into 4th when mistake last
chased leaders, mistake 2nd, lost place after 6th, mistakes 7th and when well behind 9th, soon pulled up
mid-division, closed after 6th, mistakes 7th and 8th, weakened after 9th, tailed off
held up in rear, mistake 3rd, not fluent 5th, mistake 7th, ridden and lost touch after 9th, tailed off
A decent renewal of this Grade 2 with useful chasers The Druids Nephew and Splash of Ginge probably both capable of getting involved. Grumeti was also chasing last season but proved his versatility when landing the Cesarewitch on the Flat at huge odds three weeks ago so warrants respect. No Planning made all in a competitive handicap at Haydock in May while Kilcooley won the National Spirit at Fontwell in February, though is unproven over this trip. The 2012 Champion Hurdler Rock On Ruby is still a class act but is another with possible stamina limitations and, like Closing Ceremony and Kilcooley, has a big penalty. AQALIM (NAP) was progressive last season and won over this trip at Cheltenham. He’s earned this crack at a decent prize and shouldn’t disappoint.
Closing Ceremony (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Led, ridden before 2 out, held on well, won at Haydock 3m (1) sft in Feb beating Seeyouatmidnight (11-13) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Kilcooley (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) 7th of 9, 20l behind Dos Santos (10-1) at Auteuil 2m 3f hvy in Mar.
Rock On Ruby (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) With leader, a close 3rd at last and challenging, soon left 2nd and badly hampered, not recover, held on for 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 13l behind Jezki (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Aqalim 11-4fav (11-0) Held up in last pair but in touch, steady headway bypassing omitted 3 out, pushed along in 2nd approaching 2 out, driven between last 2, kept on under pressure run-in, not quite reach winner, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Polly Peachum (10-11) at Sandown 2m 6f lst (1) gs in Apr.
Goldan Jess (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Made all, quickened clear before 3 out, ridden before next, stayed on strongly, won at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Aug beating Street Entertainer (11-12) by 9l, 8 ran.
Grumeti 50-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders until pushed along and slightly outpaced over 3f out, rallied under pressure from 2f out, led over 1f out, held on gamely, all out, won at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Oriental Fox (9-10) by shd, 34 ran.
No Planning 8-1 (11-8) Led, ridden before 2 out, headed approaching last, led again flat, stayed on gamely, won at Haydock 3m hcp (2) sft in May beating Alternatif (11-2) by 1l, 10 ran.
Splash of Ginge 12-1 (11-10) Prominent to 5th, soon behind, hampered and almost unseated rider 12th (canal turn), pulled up before 15th, at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
The Druids Nephew (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway and prominent 17th, challenged 23rd (2nd foinavon), led 6 out (2nd valentines), fell next, at Aintree 4m 3f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
