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The big shoot-out in the first didn't quite happen.

It was supposed to be between Bob Olinger and Galopin des Champs who led for a bit and then started to make some errors, then recover only to fall at the last leaving the coast clear for another win for the dynamic duo of Henry de Bromhead and Racheal Blackmore.  Busselton was second and El Barra third.  That was the Golden Miller Novices' Chase Gr 1.

The Pertemps Final was a bit of a test for the new pin but fortunately we had insisted that the selections must include Alaphilippe and he fished second.  By a neck.  The winner was Third Wind on 25/1 with Mill Green third at 33/1 and Winter Fog fourth.

The Ryanair was no problem for the talented Allaho for another Mullins-Townend winner.  Stablemate Janidit was second on 12/1 and Eldorado Allen third on 14/1.  Melon ran 5th and Saint Calvados was scratched.

The Stayers' Hurdle saw Flooring Porter lead the whole way and see off any challengers as Klassical Dream who looked a possible at one stage ran out of steam at the end and was overtaken by Thyme Hill and Paisley Park.

The Plate went to Coole Cody 22/1 from Imperial Alcazar and Spirit of the Games third on 12/1.  The field was reduced to 15 runners from the original 22 and 11 of those finished so not really a fair test of the pin.

Friday's feature is the Gold Cup Chase with a field of 11 headed by the improving Galvin for Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell however we love A Plus Tard.  He will be in the wonderful hands of Racheal Blackmore and is on 10/3.  Mindella Indo is 9/2 and we also love Al Boum Photo and he loves this race.  11/1.

The Triumph Hurdle gets things moving with 12 runners headed by Vaubon (Mullins-Townend) with the Elliott runners Pied Piper and Fil Dor also fancied.

The County Handicap Hurdle Gr 3 has 26 runners with the Mullins-Townend Slate Man on 3/1.  Colonel Mustard is on 11/2 and a bit of a roughie in First Street for the Nicks – Henderson and de Boinville on 16/1.

The Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle Gr 1 has a field of 19 with Ginto Elliott-Kennedy on 11/4.  Hillcrest is on 3/1, Minella Cocooner 10/1 Mullins-Townend and we like the sound of Shantreuse 11/1 de Bromhead-Blackmore.

After the Gold Cup there is a Gr 2 Mares' Chase which looks like it could be between Mount Ida and Elimay.  Concertiste on 7/2 could be in the finish.