chased clear winner, closed 5th, every chance after 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace from last
held up in 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out, no chance when blundered 2 out, pulled up before last
made all, clear until 5th, pressed after 2 out, ridden and ran on gainly flat
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
handy in main group, blundered and dropped out 4th, no chance after
held up in last, short-lived effort after 7th, never reached leaders and soon beaten
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4th, not fluent 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway 4th, went 3rd after next, ridden 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd flat but not pace to reach winner
Paul Nicholls won this event 12 months ago with I'msingingtheblues and the Ditcheat handler is taken to land it again with AMERICAN TRILOGY who created a favourable impression when landing a maiden hurdle at Aintree last month and he gets the verdict ahead of Golan Way and Leo's Lucky Star. The last mentioned has taken time to take to hurdles but David Pipe's gelding has shown improved form of late, winning four of his last five starts, but this looks tougher and he may have to settle for minor honours. Golan Way has taken really well to hurdles having won all three starts, latterly when a wide margin winner at Stratford, however he was flattered by the margin of success that day. Alan King's Over Sixty showed decent form in bumpers and was a comfortable winner of his first start over hurdles but he is likely to do better over further, while Eddie O'Grady's Indian Spring has yet to win over timber and is unlikely to do so here. This looks a decent looking renewal of this Grade 2 event and is taken to go to American Trilogy.
American Trilogy (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Held up mid-division, hampered after 4 out on bend, smooth headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on well, won at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) sft in Oct beating Hernando Royal (10-11) by 3l, 18 ran.
Charley (CZE) Rainbows For Life gelding out of Charming Heights.
Golan Way 11-10fav (11-7) Made all, blundered 5th, 2 lengths up and in command when left well clear last, won at Stratford 2m nov hdl (3) gf in Jun beating Johny Scruff (10-11) by 29l, 10 ran.
Leo's Lucky Star (USA) 10-11fav (11-8) Held up, smooth headway after 3 out, led on bit next, hard held, won at Ascot 2m nov hdl (3) gd beating Norman The Great (10-12) by 3l, 9 ran.
Spiriton (GER) 10-1 (11-3) Mid-division, 5th approaching 6 out, poor 4th and no impression from 4 out, no extra and pulled up in race won by Alpha Ridge (11-3) at Cork 3m nov hdl Grd 3 hvy, 9 ran.
Hunters Ploy (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-0) Led to 2nd, remained prominent, led 6th, soon headed, led again approaching 3 out where mistake, hit 2 out, in command approaching last, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct beating Fassaroe (11-0) by 4l, 1.
Mhilu (IRE) 4-6fav (11-5) Held up, headway 4 out, led 2 out, jumped right last, edged left flat, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) frm in Oct beating Terenzium (10-12) by 2l, 13 ran.
Indian Spring (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Soon chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 3 out, no extra before 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 19, 9l behind Sarteano (11-12) at Down Royal 2m mdn hdl sft.
Over Sixty 11-4 (10-10) Chased leaders, led after 3 out, quickened clear approaching last, ran on well, won at Southwell 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Argento Luna (11-2) by 19l, 12 ran.
