held up in rear, took keen hold, tried to close after 2 out, no impression and well beaten 6th when not fluent last
held up in rear, pushed along after 3 out, well beaten from next
led, ridden and headed when not fluent 3 out, weakened next
travelled well in touch in 4th, disputing 2nd from 2 out until flat, slightly bumped last, no impression on winner, kept on same pace final 150 yards
tracked leaders on outside, niggled along after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, lost place 2 out, no extra
mid-division, switched right and ridden after 3 out, hung left after 2 out and soon closed, went 2nd and hanging left again flat, stayed on, no impression on winner
chased leader, led 3 out, kicked clear next, stayed on well
mid-division, headway after 4 out, 2nd 2 out, soon hung left, slightly bumped rival last, lost 2nd flat, no extra
held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, headway on inside 3 out, driven after 2 out, went 3rd and stayed on final 150 yards, no impression on winner
After winning his first three starts over hurdles, including a Grade 2, River Wylde was far from disgraced when third in the Supreme Novices’ at Cheltenham. Moon Racer is the highest rated of these but was soon left behind in the Champion Hurdle. He’s always been a little fragile and another quick race would be a worry. MOUNT MEWS is facing easily his toughest task to date but is fancied to pass the test with flying colours. His only defeat so far came over a longer trip when he was giving lumps of weight to the winner. He’s a strong traveller and his yard won this in 2015 with a similar type. The Unit has been racing over further and may not have the pace for this while High Secret and Chti Balko will need to take another significant step forward to play a part.
American Gigolo 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division, not fluent 1st, headway before 3 out, 2nd next, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Stowaway Magic (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gs in Jan.
Bulkov (FR) (11-11) 3rd of 10, 5 1/2l behind Coulmalinas (11-4) at Enghien 2m 2f hvy in Nov.
Chti Balko (FR) 3-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, led before 4 out, clear before 3 out, kept on well from last, won at Haydock 2m (4) hvy in Mar beating Potters Story (11-6) by 9l, 5 ran.
High Secret (IRE) 4-5fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, led after 2 out, strongly challenged last, held on gamely, driven out, won at Taunton 2m (4) gd in Mar beating Boagrius (11-0) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Moon Racer (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders on outside, mistake 4 out, soon beaten, behind when pulled up before 3 out, at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Mount Mews (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) In rear and in touch, led before 2 out, shaken up before last, soon clear, won at Kelso 2m 2f (1) hvy in Mar beating Chalonnial (11-5) by dist, 4 ran.
Pingshou (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, weakening when mistake next, soon behind, 10th of 14, 34 1/4l behind Labaik (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
River Wylde (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, led narrowly between last 2, headed before last where not fluent, soon ridden and one pace, no impression with front pair flat, 3rd of 14, 10 1/4l behind Labaik (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
The Unit (IRE) 11-10fav (11-6) Held up in last pair, headway when mistake 4 out, led 2 out, clear last, ran on well, readily, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Mar beating Qualando (11-12) by 8l, 6 ran.
