in rear, mistake 4th, hit 6th and soon behind, pushed along after 10th, struggling when pulled up before 5 out
led, mistake 5th, pushed along and headed 4 out, weakened 3 out
in rear, some headway into mid-division before 11th, pushed along and weakened 13th, dropped away quickly and pulled up before next
chased leaders, pushed along after 5 out, ridden and mistake 4 out, soon tired quickly and clambered over 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, ridden and no extra after 2 out, plugged on
towards rear, mistake 9th, never involved and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway into 3rd after 5 out, shaken up and chased leader after 4 out, ridden and no impression from 2 out, kept on
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, led 4 out travelling strongly, pushed along before last, ridden and stayed on well run-in, always doing enough
mid-division, ridden after 5 out and weakened, pulled up before 3 out
Blaklion won twice here last year, including this race when 5lb lower. He retains plenty of enthusiasm but will be 14 in a few weeks’ time. Coo Star Sivola hasn’t won in more than four years and hasn’t raced since April last year and Venetia Williams may hold stronger claims with Chambard, who ended last season with a hat-trick including a win in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir at The Festival under Lucy Turner. SAINT XAVIER is 6lb lower than when second in one of these at Newbury in March. He ran well enough over a trip too short at Cheltenham on his return to action so gets the nod, though Fortified Bay goes well fresh and The Two Amigos will ensure there is no hanging about. Up Helly Aa King can also figure if on a going day.
Chambard (FR) 40-1 (11-1) Towards rear on outer, good headway to join leaders 11th, disputed lead 17th, not fluent and headed next, led 3 out, stumbled next, soon pushed along, not fluent last, ridden flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar beating Mister Coffey (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 20 ran.
Blaklion 50-1 (11-7) Towards rear, ridden 9th, pulled up 11th, at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (2) hvy in Nov.
Burbank (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Towards rear, reminders after 10th, lost touch from 5 out, pulled up, at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Coo Star Sivola (FR) 5-1 (10-10) Led, huge leap 5 out, pressed 4 out, not fluent 3 out and soon headed, pushed along and rallied approaching 2 out when pressed leader, left in the lead briefly and every chance last, soon headed after the last, kept on well but always held near finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Domaine De L'Isle (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
The Two Amigos 7-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along and outpaced home turn, soon tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind All About Joe (11-5) at Sedgefield 3m 5f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Fortified Bay (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Led, went left 4 out, jumped left and not fluent 2 out, went left and mistake last, headed flat, held after, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Francky Du Berlais (10-11) at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in May.
Up Helly Aa King 12-1 (12-0) Prominent, smooth headway to dispute lead before 2 out, pushed along when headed before last, mistake last, weakened run-in, 4th of 8, 3 3/4l behind Sirwilliamwallace (11-9) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Saint Xavier (FR) 6-1 (10-8) Jumped slowly 1st, chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, hit 9th, every chance 3 out, lost 2nd next, plugged on in well held 3rd run-in, dropped to 4th final strides, kept on, 4th of 9, 5 1/4l behind Magic Dancer (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Another Emotion (FR) 11-1 (10-2) Off the pace in last pair, jumped slowly 8th, never a factor, tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Magic Dancer (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
