prominent, led 4th until next, led approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, headed flat, no extra
held up towards rear, headway after 6th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, ridden after 6th, steady progress approaching 2 out, stayed on flat to go 3rd close home, nearest finish
chased leaders until lost place 4th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on under pressure flat, went 2nd near finish
in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next
mid-division, hit 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
towards rear, niggled along from 4th, stayed on from 2 out, not reach leaders
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, led 3rd until next, stayed prominent, weakened after 3 out
led until 3rd, prominent, ridden after 2 out, stayed on to lead flat, ridden out
chased leaders, led after 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, gradually faded
Oriak des Ormeaux can make a winning British debut at the expense of Nacadour, Russian Consort and Nawaadi, with Rinty worth a mention at least. Oriak des Ormeaux had five outings in France, culminating with a victory on his first start over hurdles last October, but he was no slouch on the level either. A look back at his earlier form reveals that he was only beaten two-and-a-half lengths by Opera de Coeur on his first ever outing, and as the latter went on to make his mark over timber in useful company before going chasing, it is hoped that the selection can follow suit. Nacadour will no doubt have his supporters as well, but he has been chasing in France in the main and although his pilot takes off a valuable 10lb, he is passed over on this occasion. Russian Consort takes a drop in grade here after finishing well behind some useful opponents at Newbury, but will need to step up a gear, while the four-year-old Nawaadi lacks experience but was at least third round here on his timber bow in December. Keepitsecret will come into his own when sent chasing, while Rinty needs more time to adapt and has to prove he has the stamina for this game. There are no such doubts about Oriak des Ormeaux who can stamp his class on this field.
Oriak Des Ormeaux (FR) (9-10) 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Opera de Coeur (9-10) at Rostrenen 1m 3f stk gd in May '05 (Flat).
Bawn Boy (NZ) 100-1 (10-12) Pulled hard, held up, never dangerous, 11th of 18, 41l behind Buster Hyvonen (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Keepitsecret (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden to chase leader 3 out, weakened 2 out, 10th of 15, 48l behind Tarotino (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Nacadour (FR) 9-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden 7th, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Busy Isit (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs.
Peggy's Boy 200-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 7f out, effort 4f out, weakened 3f out, 8th of 10, 39l behind Greenbridge (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (6) sft.
Rashartic (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led over 9f out, ridden and headed 5f out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, well behind Super Nick (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (4) gd in Oct.
Rinty (NZ) 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, effort approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 18, more than 8l behind Fredensborg (11-0) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
Russian Consort (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Mid-division, mistake 4th, behind after next, 14th of 18, well behind Duc De Regniere (11-0) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Russian Trigger Double Trigger gelding, half-brother to winning chaser Union Man.
The Composer 12-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway after 4 out, weakened 3 out, 11th of 16, 41l behind Trompette (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Barodine 33-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 10l behind Baskerville (8-11) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) sft in Oct (Flat).
Maraakez 14-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 11, 18l behind Galactic Star (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) sft in Oct (Flat).
Nawaadi 10-3 (10-7) Soon led, headed 5th, close up, ridden approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 14, 11l behind South O'The Border (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Vienna Prince (USA) 100-1 (10-7) In touch, reminders after 2nd, headway 4th, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 11, well behind Katchit (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
