held up behind leaders, not fluent 5th, went 2nd 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up, headway into 2nd 3 out, ridden and weakened next
chased leaders, led 9th, driven clear approaching 3 out, stayed on well
led until 7th, outpaced after 4 out, rallied to chase winner 2 out, held from last
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from next
held up, struggling 8th, behind and pulled up before last
chased leader, led 7th until not fluent 9th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
in touch early, behind final circuit
held up, headway after 9th, ridden 3 out, one pace from next
Blazing Bailey has to give all of his rivals over a stone in weight, however he looks the real deal and he gets the nod ahead of Prestbury Knight and Juvigneur. A runner-up in the World Hurdle last March, the selection hen fell at Aintree when still in with every chance. His jumping as previously been pretty good so assuming that the fall hasn't dented his confidence, he should be hard to beat. He has carried big weights well before so as the class act in the field he gets the vote. Juvigneur is an interesting contender. Nicky Henderson's charge is able to race off a much lower mark now over hurdles again and with the ground to suit he looks sure to run well despite his advancing years. Ashwell is likely to have improved physically for his recent run when second at the track and he looks sure to run well here, as does Sonnyanjoe who scored on his last jaunt across the Irish Sea. Prestbury Knight needs to be watched for market support and should not be ruled out now dropping in trip, and whilst Prince De Bersy should again run his normal race, he faces a tough task from well out of the weights. Not straightforward, however Blazing Bailey is given the vote.
Blazing Bailey 9-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, pushed along, close 3rd when fell 4 out in race won by Mighty Man (11-10) at Aintree 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr, 6 ran.
Juveigneur (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden 19th, soon struggling, no chance 4 out, 7th of 10, 27l behind Hot Weld (10-0) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Sonnyanjoe (IRE) 15-2 (10-3) Tracked leaders and keen, led 6th, headed briefly 8th, ridden approaching last, ridden out, won at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Oct beating Gold Gun (10-0) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Lyes Green 6-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 4 out, 5th of 9, 32l behind Sonnyanjoe (10-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Oct.
Raslan 3-1fav (11-9) Chased leaders, driven along from 8th, lost place after 9th, tailed off, 8th of 12, 36l behind Champagne Harry (11-0) at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Ashwell (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, steady headway from 3 out, chased leaders approaching last, stayed on under pressure, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Middleton Dene (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (3) gs in Oct.
Prestbury Knight 7-2fav (10-9) Towards rear, mistake 13th and 15th, behind 18th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Tom Sayers (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Gold Gun (USA) 20-1 (10-0) In touch, closer order 7th, ridden 4 out to chase leaders, held when mistake last, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Sonnyanjoe (10-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Oct.
Prince De Bersy (FR) 5-4fav (11-4) Chased leader, led 8th, quickened clear approaching 2 out, very easily, won at Exeter 2m 6f amt nov hdl (4) gf in Oct beating Arafan (10-13) by 14l, 11 ran.
