tracked leaders, left 2nd 6th, ridden 2 out, hung left, switched left approaching last, every chance soon after, weakened
led, headed 4th, blundered 6th, weakened 3 out, pulled up approaching last
held up, ridden and headway after 3 out, joined leaders approaching last, soon led and clear, ran on well
towards rear, hit 3rd, mistake 6th, effort approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, rallying when switched right approaching last, no chance with winner
in touch, lost place 5th, ridden 4 out, soon beaten
tracked leader, led 4th, ridden 3 out, headed approaching last, faded
Blazing Bailey can spoil the party for Jonjo O'Neill, who sends out two headline makers in the shape of Wichita Lineman and Black Jack Ketchum, while Faasel and Afsoun add spice to a line up worthy of any Festival contest. Afsoun is a versatile performer and his effort in the Ascot Hurdle puts him right in the picture here. Two and a half miles suits him well and he is worth a saver if the odds permit a few corners to be covered. Faasel has not won over hurdles since April 2005 and often finds at least one too good at this level. Still, he is classy enough to merit taking his chance and this trip may well be the making of him. Black Jack Ketchum has been hyped beyond reason on occasions and his supporters have suffered dearly. However, the pressure is off a little today and he more than capable of bouncing back. He has form on most types of ground and it will be interesting to see if Richard Johnson can coax the best out of him today. Tony McCoy is required to fulfil the requirements of his retainer with JP McManus and will get the leg up on Wichita Lineman, who was so impressive when winning at the Festival last March. However, his reappearance effort at Ascot does leave him with a little to find and, with the patchy form of the O'Neill yard, he is reluctantly overlooked today. This time in favour of Blazing Bailey, who is a very capable performer whose profile may be overshadowed in this exalted company. However, Alan King's charge is more than capable of holding his own at this level and, with the likes of Afsoun likely to push out his odds, Blazing Bailey is sporting choice in a fascinating race.
Afsoun (FR) 9-2 (11-8) Chased winner until approaching 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on approaching last, kept on flat, 5th of 8, 19l behind Osana (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Dec.
Black Jack Ketchum (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (11-7) 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, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Lough Derg (11-7) at Ascot 3m 1f hdl Grd 1 (1) gf in Dec.
Blazing Bailey 5-1 (11-8) Led, soon clear, not fluent 7th, quickened after 9th, bad mistake next, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 25l behind Inglis Drever (11-8) at Newbury 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Redemption 14-1 (11-1) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Millenium Royal (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Wichita Lineman (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) In touch, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, stayed on flat, never nearer, 4th of 8, 13l behind Hardy Eustace (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Faasel (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, headway approaching 13th, outpaced when not fluent 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, kept on flat, 4th of 16, 6l behind Tamarinbleu (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Dec.
Gaspara (FR) 5-4fav (11-2) Led, ridden after 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on under pressure run-in, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Refinement (11-6) at Kempton 2m 5f lst hdl (1) gs in Nov.
