raced freely, led and soon clear, reduced lead and joined 2 out, headed before the last, weakened run-in, finished tired
chased clear leader, pushed along to close and upsides 2 out, led before last, ridden out
well off the pace in last quartet, moderate 5th before 4 out, plugged into remote 4th after next mistake 2 out, never near to challenge
well off the pace in last quartet, never a factor, tailed off
raced in 3rd behind clear leading pair until before 4 out, weakened rapidly, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
held up well off the pace in final quartet, never a factor, tailed off
held up well off the pace in 4th, modest 3rd before 4 out, never near to challenge
heavily restrained in rear, tailed off most of way
raced wide and off the pace in 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
SAO has failed to settle in both starts so far in the UK but should be getting used to his new surroundings by now. He’s given one final chance to come good ahead of Warwick runner-up Higgs and Rooster Cogburn. Like Alex Dunn’s Irish import, Torrent Des Mottes, Emma Lavelle’s five-year-old is tackling hurdles for the first time. General Allenby did win over 2m on the Flat last year and isn’t blessed with much in the way of pace.
Sao (FR) 9-2 (10-13) Pulled hard in rear, steady headway 4th, still pulling 4 out, went 4th before 2 out, found nil, went left and mistake last, 4th of 8, 13 3/4l behind Distingo (11-6) at Kempton 2m (4) gs in Mar.
Higgs (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Pulled hard tracking leaders, driven to challenge 2 out, stayed on under pressure closing stages, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Whatmore (11-12) at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Mar.
Rooster Cogburn (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened towards finish, 4th of 9, 8 1/2l behind Daydream Aulmes (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 1f (5) gs in Feb.
Slaying The Dragon (IRE) 66-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden 3f out, some late headway, never a factor, 5th of 11, 22l behind Willyegolassiego (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Torrent Des Mottes (FR) 9-4 (12-0) Disputed lead, led after 6f, ridden and headed 2f out, no impression on winner 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Mr Showtime (12-0) at Roscommon 2m 4f gd in May.
Akkapenko (FR) 50-1 (10-8) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 2nd or 5th, well beaten after 3 out, 8th of 11, dist behind Nelson's Touch (11-2) at Taunton 2m mdn (4) hvy in Mar.
General Allenby 10-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, 10th of 13, 9 1/4l behind Le Torrent (9-12) at Kempton 2m hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Poet's Charm (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Raced keenly, tracked leader, led 9f out, clear halfway, headed over 3f out, weakened quickly, soon behind, eased, tailed off, last of 11, dist behind Dream Magic (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Zillion (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, 2nd after 1st until 3rd, chased leading pair until weakened quickly before 4 out, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Gumball (11-5) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct.
