held up in touch, headway approaching 7th, led 3 out, 1 length up and niggled slightly when fell heavily 2 out
in rear, headway approaching 3 out, left in lead 2 out, drew clear from last
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden approaching last, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
tracked leader and keen, led 7th, headed 3 out, ridden approaching last, no extra when lost 2 places near finish
led to 7th, remained close up until weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, hit 5th, in rear next, detached 4 out, headway when hampered 2 out, kept on approaching next, took 4th near finish
tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 4 out, ridden approaching next, hampered 2 out, kept on to take 3rd near finish
Not an easy race to call but ZAYNAR is marginally preferred to Khyber Kim and Celestial Halo. Nicky Henderson's gelding ran really well when third in the Champion Hurdle and shaped then, as he has all season, as if this longer trip is his optimum. He is 8lbs better off at the weights than his Kelso conqueror Quwetwo and should be able to master him this afternoon. Howard Johnson's gelding is not dismissed here as he has always been highly thought-of, but he may just struggle against some hot opposition. Celestial Halo was fourth in the Champion Hurdle and that was probably his best run of the season. He was well-held in this race last year and the same could occur today, especially with the blinkers taken off. Khyber Kim fared best of these runners in the Champion Hurdle, only going down by three lengths in the end. This longer trip may not be ideal but if he gets a strong gallop to chase he could easily pick up the pieces late on. Muirhead is slightly below this level, Petit Robin was well-held over fences in the Ryanair but is an interesting runner returned to hurdles with McCoy booked, whilst Won In The Dark is likely to struggle in this grade once again. Souffleur has a preferred engagement on Thursday and would be an unlikely winner if taking in this race as well/instead, despite winning form over the course and distance. An open renewal, but preference is for Zaynar.
Celestial Halo (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Led, ridden and headed after 2 out, relegated to 4th and beaten before last, 4th of 12, 12l behind Binocular (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Khyber Kim 7-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, switched left and chased winner approaching last, ran on, no impression, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Binocular (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Muirhead (IRE) 15-8fav (11-4) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and dropped to 4th entering straight, no extra from 2 out, 4th of 6, 9l behind Luska Lad (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m hdl G2 sft in Feb.
Petit Robin (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, hit 10th and 11th, blundered 3 out, never in contention, 10th of 13, 36l behind Albertas Run (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Quwetwo 12-1 (11-2) Made all, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, kept on gamely flat, held on well, won at Kelso 2m 2f hdl (2) sft in Feb beating Zaynar (11-10) by 1l, 4 ran.
Won In The Dark (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Raced in 4th until 2nd, weakened approaching 4th, soon well behind, hit 3 out, tailed off, last of 12, 44l behind Binocular (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Zaynar (FR) 15-2 (11-10) Chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out, beaten when jumped left last, one pace, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Binocular (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Souffleur 16-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, kept on to take 2nd flat, always held by winnner, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Big Buck's (11-7) at Aintree 3m hdl G1 (1) gd.
