held up in rear, headway 5th, ridden before out, one pace from next
prominent, ridden and lost place 7th, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd or 6th, went 2nd before last, no chance with winner
took keen hold, led until before 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
held up, ridden and lost touch 5th, behind next, pulled up after
tracked leaders, challenged 7th, led after 3 out, clear approaching last, very easily
mid-division, headway 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, headway after 7th, weakened 2 out
mid-division, blundered 5th, weakened 7th, tailed off
prominent, led before 3 out, soon headed, stayed on same pace approaching last
held up, not fluent 6th, headway when jumped slowly 7th, weakened before 2 out
Four recent winners clash in a splendid contest for the time of year and all members of the quartet can offer a persuasive case for their claims. Knight In Purple is always one to note when hitting form on quick ground and goes especially well for Peter Carberry. He's up 8lb for an easy Wetherby win whilst One Lucky Lady has been punished with an 11lb rise for a decisive success over the progressive Lord Grantham at Uttoxeter last time, the pair pulling well clear. Dolatulo has been in fine form over fences and it will be interesting to see how he performs back over timber but the vote is narrowly awarded to SILVER ROQUE. He's always looked talented and Paul Nicholls had him primed for an ultra-smooth success at Fontwell last time after an absence. Unextended that day, there looks much more to come and he can defy a 7lb penalty.
One Lucky Lady 11-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 5th, went 2nd after 3 out, led last, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in May beating Lord Grantham (10-11) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Knight In Purple 7-2fav (10-10) Tracked leaders in 4th, headway to lead before 2 out, mistake last, kept on well, pushed out, won at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in May beating Ruler Of All (10-9) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Dolatulo (FR) 9-4 (11-4) Jumped left at times, tracked leader, led 9th, headed after 11th, led approaching 5 out, clear 4 out, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr beating Down The Stretch (9-13) by 16l, 7 ran.
One Term (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Prominent, led after 6th, not fluent 8th, headed 3 out, stayed on same pace last, 3rd of 17, 12l behind Party Rock (10-4) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Cross Of Honour (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Held up, pushed along 3rd, reminder after next, headway 6th, lost place next, soon struggling, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Hell's Bay (11-4) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May, 8 ran.
Saint Roque (FR) 2-1fav (11-10) Always prominent on outside, challenged going well after 3 out, shaken up to lead between last 2, ridden clear when hung right towards stand side rail flat, comfortably, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in May beating Occasionally Yours (11-6) by 14l, 10 ran.
Mister Hyde (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, no extra before last, 14th of 22, 37l behind Trackmate (11-1) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Skint 8-1 (11-9) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened before last, 10th of 15, 24l behind Parc Des Princes (10-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Bathwick Man 14-1 (11-5) In touch, headway to challenge 3 out, chased leaders and driven before next, stayed on same pace fom last, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Canadian Diamond (10-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Oct.
Qulinton (FR) 66-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, hit 5th, ridden and weakened before 4 out, 12th of 13, 40l behind Lamb Or Cod (10-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Sir Fredlot (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, good headway approaching 2 out, went 3rd before last, ridden and strong challenge flat, no extra in closing stages, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Drum Valley (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 5f con hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in May.
