tracked leaders, slow and lost place 2nd, mistake 6th, headway 11th, one pace 3 out, kept on flat, went 2nd near finish, no impression on winner
carried left 1st, led before next, clear after 8th until mistake 11th, hassled briefly by loose horse after 13th, headed before not fluent 2 out, no impression on winner, lost 2nd near finish
held up, took keen hold, closed 2nd, hampered by loose horse after 13th, not fluent 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, headway when mistake 11th, not fluent and outpaced 13th, plugged on from 2 out, 4th before last
held up in rear, took keen hold, mistake and unseated rider 11th
tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th until 10th, not clear run on inside after 13th and lost place, closed to take 2nd 3 out, led before next, clear last, comfortably
led, jumped left 1st, chased leader until 6th and again from 10th until before 3 out, no extra 2 out
Saintemilion is the likely favourite in this having got off the mark over fences at the second attempt at Exeter. He is no certainty, however, shouldering a 7lb penalty. ENOLA GAY normally jumps better than he did when favourite at Sandown last month. If he gets into a rhythm here, Venetia Williams’ gelding is feasibly handicapped. Solar Impulse attracted significant market support on his reappearance at Wetherby and should strip fitter here while Bally Longford is slipping down the handicap, though is the senior runner in this and also carrying a big weight. Chepstow winner Lickpenny Larry was still beaten 16 lengths when second at Sandown.
Bally Longford (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division until outpaced 4 out, rallied chasing leaders before next, kept on same pace from 2 out, lost modest 4th post, 5th of 12, 18 1/2l behind First Drift (11-10) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Saintemilion (FR) 4-1 (10-3) Led, joined 8th, headed narrowly 2 out, soon ridden, regained lead last, edged left and kept on flat, always just holding on, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Mar beating Diable De Sivola (11-3) by 1l, 6 ran.
Royal Plaza 33-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, hit 6th, led 3 out, soon headed and weakened quickly, 10th of 11, 34 1/4l behind Canyon City (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gf in Oct.
Tikkinthebox (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Led until mistake 6th, hit 8th, weakened before 3 out, soon pulled up, at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Solar Impulse (FR) 7-2jfav (10-7) Raced keenly, chased leader 3rd, hit 5 out, lost 2nd before next, soon ridden and flashed tail, chased leaders, kept on same pace run-in, 5th of 11, 6 1/4l behind Movie Legend (10-13) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Enola Gay (FR) 6-4fav (10-7) Chased leading pair, reminders after 10th, lost 3rd 4 out, plugged on, 4th of 6, 8 1/4l behind Delire D'Estruval (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Lickpenny Larry 9-1 (10-0) Chased leading pair, ridden before 3 out, kept on into 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 16l behind Ardmayle (11-5) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
