tracked leaders, smooth headway into 2nd approaching 2 out, led approaching last, ridden clear run-in, impressive
tracked leading pair, 2nd after 3 out, led before next, headed approaching the last, outpaced and no chance with winner run-in, just held on for 2nd
held up in last pair, hit 3 out, headway into 4th 2 out, no impression before the last, weakened into 5th run-in
held up in last trio, hit 5th, plugged on into modest 4th run-in, no impression
always in rear, never involved
took keen hold, held up in 5th, headway into 3rd 2 out, no impression on leading duo before the last, kept on same pace run-in, almost snatched 3rd but never any chance with impressive winner
chased leader until after 3 out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 2 out
jumped left, led set strong pace and soon clear until 3 out, headed and weakened before next
Sam Twiston-Davies sticks with the four-year-old Aintree Grade 1 novice winner All Yours, despite the presence of stablemate IRVING. He may regret the decision as the latter was challenging for the lead when falling at the last in this last year and another bold bid looks likely from him. John Ferguson sent out last year's winner and runs unbeaten hurdler Francis Of Assisi and Aintree winner Buckwheat while Zarib is a course and distance winner though only in novice company. Melodic Rendezvous has been chasing but won this off a similar mark in 2013 and is not easily dismissed.
Irving 15-2fav (11-10) Behind, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up 3 out, at Ayr 2m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Melodic Rendezvous 12-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and dropped to 4th after 3 out, soon weakened, last of 5, 29 3/4l behind Un De Sceaux (11-10) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr.
All Yours (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden after last, kept on to lead run-in, won at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gs in Apr beating Devilment (11-0) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Francis Of Assisi (IRE) 2-9fav (11-12) Tracked leader, hit 2 out and lost 3 lengths, headway to join leader last, pushed along to lead final strides, won at Fakenham 2m (4) gd in Oct beating Ch'tibello (11-5) by nk, 3 ran.
Buckwheat 5-1fav (11-3) Held up towards rear, mistake 1st and 2nd, headway 5th, no extra before last, 9th of 17, 11 1/4l behind Gran Maestro (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Zarib (IRE) 11-4fav (11-3) Held up in rear, ridden before 3 out, kept on under pressure to chase leaders before next, weakened last, 5th of 9, 9 1/2l behind Lil Rockerfeller (10-9) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Olofi (FR) (10-12) 11th of 13, dist behind Valkyri Colombe (11-0) at Auteuil 2m 2f hvy in May.
Byron Blue (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Jumped left, led, headed before 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 8, 20l behind Regulation (11-8) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) gf in Oct.
