in touch, mistake 10th, soon driven along, kept on from 2 out
prominent, ridden after 11th, soon weakened, virtually pulled up approaching last
in touch, ridden after 11th, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, reminders 7th, ridden and lost place 10th, rallied after 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd close home
held up, hit 4th, headway and mistake 10th, led approaching 2 out, stayed on, ridden out
led until 2 out, one pace after
held up, headway 11th, ridden to challenge 2 out, one pace from then
tracked leaders, hit 1st and 8th, weakened 3 out
held up, headway approaching 11th, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on, lost 2nd close home
Nonrunner
Mighty Man is selected ahead of Fire Dragon and Irish Wolf. Last season's Stayers' Hurdle - or World Hurdle, I should say - third Mighty Man, who then went on to win at Aintree, is a high-class staying hurdler and he is the one to beat in the Long Walk Hurdle. Fire Dragon was three lengths behind him in the World Hurdle so his chance has to be respected if he is at his best, while it is interesting to see the Rehearsal Chase winner Neptune Collonges run over hurdles, although softer going might suit him better. Lough Derg has ten lengths to find with the selection on recent form here over a shorter trip, No Refuge has even more to find, and the others have a good few pounds to find with the selection based on official ratings, although Irish Wolf is a tough and progressive type that looks set to go well. Once again, though, the selection is Mighty Man.
Blazing Bailey 11-4 (11-1) Led, mistake 3 out, soon quickened pace, ridden after 2 out, headed last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Black Jack Ketchum (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hdl Grd 2 (1) sft.
Fire Dragon (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Held up, ridden and outpaced 7th, some progress 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 7, 43l behind Hardy Eustace (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Irish Wolf (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, challenging 3 out, mistake 2 out and soon chased winner, rallied under pressure flat, held near finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind Inglis Drever (11-8) at Newbury 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Lough Derg (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Led and keen, hit 6th and 8th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 7, 21l behind Hardy Eustace (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Mighty Man (FR) 15-8 (11-8) Tracked leaders, headway 7th, chased winner 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Hardy Eustace (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Neptune Collonges (FR) 10-3 (11-9) Hampered 1st, in touch, led 5th, made rest, ridden and hit last, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Nov beating Another Promise (10-0) by 2l, 11 ran.
No Refuge (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Towards rear and reminders, raced wide, driven 3rd, hard ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on, 4th of 7, 30l behind Hardy Eustace (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Redemption 16-1 (11-8) Led, headed 2 out, soon lost 2nd, 3rd and beaten when hit last, soon lost 3rd place, 4th of 5, 11l behind Inglis Drever (11-8) at Newbury 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Temoin 5-1fav (11-12) Mid-division, weakening when blundered 2 out, beaten when pulled up at the last in race won by Karanja (11-1) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov, 21 ran.
Jazz d'Estruval (FR) 6-1 (10-9) Held up, headway to chase leaders 8th, no extra flat, 3rd of 17, 7l behind Halcon Genelardais (10-2) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
