tracked leader until 2nd, left 2nd on bend after 5th, leader soon went clear, closed after 4 out, mistake and hampered 3 out, challenging 2 out, pressing winner flat, held final 100 yards, kept on
held up on inside, disputing 3rd from 5th, challenged briefly 2 out, switched right before last and looked held, switched right flat and closed, threatened briefly, 3rd and held final 100 yards, kept on
led, headed after 5th, soon pulled up
took keen hold, chased leader 2nd, led after 5th, clear before next until after 4 out, about 1 length ahead when fell 3 out
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, mistake 7th, weakened before being left modest 4th 3 out
tracked leaders on outside, pushed along after 4 out, left in lead 3 out, pressed next, kept on flat, gamely kept finding enough to hold off challengers, in command inside final 100 yards
Withdrawn
Withdrawn
Faugheen ran well for a long way in the Stayers’ Hurdle and this drop in trip will suit. But he was beaten more than 20 lengths the last time he met BUVEUR D’AIR and Nicky Henderson’s former champion won this in 2017. Though probably not quite at his best this season, the eight-year-old is unlikely to repeat his blemish at Cheltenham as he is normally a quick and accurate jumper. Melon saves his best for Cheltenham but was no match for Espoir D’Allen in the Champion Hurdle, though still finished a place ahead of Silver Streak and nearly nine lengths ahead of Verdana Blue with Brain Power pulled up. Supasundae finished second last year but has something to find with Faugheen on last month’s form while Ch'tibello has more to do than in the County Hurdle. Summerville Boy has a lot on his plate returning from a break.
Buveur D'Air (FR) 11-4 (11-10) Held up in touch in 4th, fell 3rd, at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Ch'tibello (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Held up rear of mid-division, headway on inside from last bend, led and not fluent last, edged right, stayed on, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar beating We Have A Dream (11-11) by 1 1/2l, 24 ran.
Faugheen (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, every chance before last, held by front pair final 150 yards, kept on, 3rd of 18, 6 3/4l behind Paisley Park (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
Melon 20-1 (11-10) Led until 2 out, no impression on winner before not fluent last, edged right flat, being closed on by 3rd close home, 2nd of 10, 15l behind Espoir D'Allen (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Silver Streak (IRE) 80-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, jumped right at times, closed after mistake 4 out, went 3rd last, no chance with winner, kept on under pressure and closing on 2nd close home, 3rd of 10, 15 1/4l behind Espoir D'Allen (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Summerville Boy (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Held up towards rear, closed 3rd, not fluent 2 out, soon outpaced, weakened before last, 7th of 8, 22 1/2l behind Brain Power (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gs in Dec.
Supasundae 9-1 (11-10) Mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, headway before 2 out, ridden in 3rd briefly on long run from last bend, weakened last, 7th of 18, 23 3/4l behind Paisley Park (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
Brain Power (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, slightly hampered 4 out, soon ridden and beaten, weakened before next, pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Verdana Blue (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, went 5th 3 out, shaken up after 2 out, never on terms and well held before last, 5th of 10, 23 3/4l behind Espoir D'Allen (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
