tracked leaders, left in lead 3rd, hit 2 out, quickened clear approaching last, ran on well flat
always prominent, hampered 3rd, ridden and mistake 3 out, pecked next, one pace approaching last
held up, hampered 3rd, mistake 5th, ridden and effort 2 out, one pace approaching last
held up towards rear, steady headway 7th, ridden and hit 2 out, stayed on one pace flat, no impression on winner
in touch, headway to track winner when mistake 4th, ridden after 2 out, one-paced flat
held up, jumped slowly 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 8th
held up in touch, hampered 3rd, mistake 6th, ridden, mistake 3 out, weakened before next
The time has come for Azertyuiop to prove that he is worth his lofty position as solid favourite for the young pretender's two-mile crown. Trained by Paul Nicholls, who saddled Flagship Uberalles to land this event in 1999, Azertyuiop rocketed to prominence when making an impressive start to his chasing career at Market Rasen in October. He has looked the part in both victories since, over today's course and distance, and more recently at Wincanton, and it is no surprise that Ruby Walsh stays loyal to him. Rated 150 over hurdles, he is certainly a high-class recruit to fences, but might not have things all his own way if the likes of Farmer Jack and Adamant Approach run up to their best. On a line through Golden Alpha, Farmer Jack does not have too much to find, and proved at Haydock that he can jump. He was conceding an age allowance to Vol Solitaire that day, but won comfortably, and the runner-up has since franked the form. The step up to two and a half miles in testing ground at Sandown saw Farmer Jack outstayed by Tarxien, but he will be a different proposition round here. Impek will be having his first race left-handed over fences, while Hand Inn Hand might be found wanting when they quicken up at the second last. The Irish will pin their hopes on Adamant Approach, who may well have won last year's Supreme Novices Hurdle had he not come a cropper at the final flight. Willie Mullins' charge has been rested since opening his account over fences at Punchestown on New Year's Eve and does possess a touch of class. However, his relative inexperience over the bigger obstacles puts us off his chance of emulating Moscow Flyer in taking the prize back to the Emerald Isle. The last favourite to oblige in the Arkle was Klairon Davis in 1995, and a look at the fate of previous "good things" such as Sybilin, Mulligan and Seebald in recent years suggests that it will not do to make Azertyuiop your banker on the opening day. He might well scrape home, but at the likely odds, we reckon that Farmer Jack is a must for the frame at least, and will make a bold bid to ensure that Seamus Mullins steps out of the shadows of his elder relatives, including uncle Paddy, trainer of the great mare Dawn Run.
