held up in 5th and well off the pace, went modest 3rd 3 out, no impression next, tired and just held on for 3rd flat
raced in 3rd and led chasing group, ridden 9th, beaten next, no chance when jumped violently left 3 out
held up in 5th and off the pace, headway and went 3rd at 10th, went 2nd 3 out, 6 lengths down and struggling when went right and hit 2 out, never able to challenge
fell 1st
held up well in rear, driven and struggling 4 out, tailed off
given easy lead and soon well clear, driven and stayed on strongly from 2 out, unchallenged
held up and off the pace, driven 8th, struggling next, tailed off
chased clear winner and clear of rest, under pressure and no chance when weakened 3 out
held up well in rear, headway 4 out, went 4th 3 out, hit 2 out, tried to challenge for 3rd flat, no chance
Nonrunner
Hardy Eustace gets the vote here with Black Jack Ketchum and Special Envoy rating the main dangers. The former champion hurdle winner won well last time when beating Afsoun and although he is unproven over the trip he looks sure to stay and he looks the one to be on. Black Jack Ketchum rates the main danger as he beat Faasel last time out. However his yard have been out of form of late and he is taken on with this in mind. Special Envoy has improved with each run to date and was a fair second behind Inglis Drever but he is often let down by his jumping and he will not get away with any mistakes in this company. Kasbah Bliss best form is with more cut in the ground while Oscar Park has yet to prove himself in this company and with this in mind for the winner we return to Hardy Eustace.
Black Jack Ketchum (IRE) 4-6fav (11-8) Held up, progress from 9th, going well 2 out, challenged between last 2, ridden to lead flat, edged slightly right, kept on, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hdl Grd 2 (1) gf in Nov beating Faasel (11-0) by a nk, 6 ran.
Chief Dan George (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 46l behind Inglis Drever (11-8) at Newbury 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs.
Hardy Eustace (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Chased leader until hit 6th, driven after 3 out, challenged 2 out, led flat, all out, won at Ascot 2m 3f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov beating Afsoun (11-8) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Hills Of Aran 6-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, tracked leader after 3rd until ridden and weakened 2 out, 4th of 6, 7l behind Lightning Strike (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy.
Kasbah Bliss (FR) 5-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, every chance 2 out, weakened before next, 3rd of 7, 19l behind Inglis Drever (11-8) at Newbury 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs.
Lough Derg (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Led and soon clear, ridden after 7th, headed 2 out, soon outpaced, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Hardy Eustace (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Lyes Green 13-2 (10-0) Led until 7th, outpaced after 4 out, rallied to chase winner 2 out, held from last, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Sonnyanjoe (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Nov.
Oscardeal (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Led 2nd, headed approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened last, 7th of 16, 10l behind Or Jaune (10-8) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Special Envoy (FR) 3-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, not fluent 7th and 8th, headway after 3 out, every chance when not fluent 2 out, soon chasing winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Inglis Drever (11-8) at Newbury 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs.
Oscar Park (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Tracked clear leader, took closer order halfway, led after 3 out then fell 2 out in race won by Inglis Drever (11-8) at Newbury 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs, 7 ran.
Sonnyanjoe (IRE) 11-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, chased leader approaching next, no impression flat, 2nd of 18, 2 1/2l behind Millenium Royal (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
