led and disputed, slight mistakes 7th and 5 out, ridden in lead entering straight, headed before last, no extra in 4th last, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 8th, 3rd 3 out, ridden in 4th next, no extra entering straight, no extra before last
held up towards rear, progress into 7th 3 out, ridden into 4th entering straight, stayed on to narrow lead before last, kept on well under pressure run-in
prominent and disputed early, chased leader from after 4th, 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd 4 out, no extra before next, weakened and pulled up after 2 out
soon mid-division, ridden and no extra before 3 out, weakened before next, pulled up before last
held up early, closer in 6th 4 out, ridden 2 out, no impression entering straight, kept on one pace
prominent and disputed early, chased leaders from after 4th, 3rd halfway, 2nd 5 out, challenged 3 out, soon disputed, ridden in 2nd entering straight, narrow lead briefly before last, 3rd and no extra when slight mistake last, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, soon no impression and pulled up before next
chased leaders early, mid-division in 6th halfway, ridden and no extra before 3 out, weakened before next, pulled up before last
chased leaders, slight mistakes 3rd and 6th, 4th halfway, slight mistakes 5 out and 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no impression entering straight, no extra before last
held up towards rear, slight mistake 5th, progress into 6th before 3 out, ridden to challenge entering straight, close 2nd last, kept on run-in without matching winner
Acapella Bourgeois has won Grade 2 races at Thurles and Fairyhouse in the style of a stayer so stepping up to this trip for the first time shouldn't pose a problem. However, BELLSHILL showed that the distance is to his liking when just run out of it by Ballyoptic in Aintree's Sefton Novices' Hurdle and, with Ruby Walsh back on board, can go one better. Emerging Force carried a big weight to land a Doncaster handicap in February and was in front when unseating his rider at the last at Haydock last month. He's taking a step up in grade here but won't lack for stamina and that should stand him in good stead. Coney Island showed his liking for the trip when conceding 11lb to Stowaway Shark at Fairyhouse while Sandymount Duke will be better suited by the going than most on his return to action. Bigbadjohn made all for an impressive victory over 2m4f at Newbury and Rebecca Menzies must believe he has a chance of some prize money in this much better race as he'll definitely stay the trip.
Acapella Bourgeois (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Disputed lead, slight mistake 2nd, led before 3rd, mistake 3 out, pushed along approaching straight, strongly pressed between last 2, soon joined, stayed on best to just prevail at line, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Mar beating Nambour (11-5) by hd, 12 ran.
Arkwrisht (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 7th, headed 3 out, weakened 2 out, tired when jumped left and clambered over last, 7th of 15, dist behind Ballyoptic (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Bellshill (IRE) 11-2fav (11-4) Held up in rear, steady headway going well from 4 out, challenging when blundered 2 out, led last, driven and hung right flat, headed close home, 2nd of 15, nk behind Ballyoptic (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Bigbadjohn (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Made all, soon joined, challenged 2 out, stayed on strongly, driven out, won at Newbury 2m 5f (3) gs in Apr beating Hell's Kitchen (11-7) by 9l, 6 ran.
Emerging Force (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) In touch, went 3rd after 4 out, led 2 out, in command when blundered and unseated rider last, at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Gangster (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, hit 8th, effort 4 out, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before last, at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Sandymount Duke (IRE) 2-1fav (11-6) Led, ridden and joined when mistake last, soon headed, no extra final 150 yards, 3rd of 6, 10 1/2l behind Penglai Pavilion (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) gd in Oct.
Stone Hard (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 5 out, progress into 3rd 3 out, soon 2nd, ridden before 2 out, no extra in 3rd 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 7, dist behind Arkwrisht (11-2) at Clonmel 2m 6f (1) hvy in Feb.
Thebarrowman (IRE) 1-2fav (11-12) Made all, slight mistake 4th, pressed 3 out, slight mistake and ridden 2 out, asserted before last, pressed again run-in and kept on well closing stages, won at Navan 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Apr beating Stand Up And Fight (11-2) by 1/2l, 20 ran.
A Genie In Abottle (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, slight mistakes 6th and 7th, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 4 out, ridden next, 2nd entering straight, challenged 2 out and mistake, kept on again to dispute last, led run-in and kept on well closing stages, won at Naas 3m mdn Soft - Heavy in Mar beating Call It Magic (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Coney Island (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Soon chased leaders, 6th halfway, closer in 4th before 5 out, challenged before 2 out where disputed, ridden to assert before last, kept on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 3m hcp Yielding in Mar beating Stowaway Shark (10-10) by 2 3/4l, 14 ran.
General Principle (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 3rd halfway, pushed along approaching 2 out, no impression in 5th and slow at last, no extra, 6th of 8, 16 3/4l behind Sutton Place (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Mar.
