tracked leaders, led 3 out, soon ridden, headed after next, kept on
mid-division, headway 7th, went second after 3 out, ridden to lead after 2 out, headed before last, kept on
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, went third next, led and mistake last, ran on, ridden out
mid-division, struggling 3 out, weakened next
in touch, took closer order 6th, ridden to challenge approaching last, kept on under strong pressure
tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten
mid-division, lost place 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on approaching last, went 3rd run-in
always behind
jumped right throughout, led until mistake 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, pulled up before last
chased leaders until 3 out, weakened before next
always towards rear
Aigle D'Or is preferred to Hold Em and Helens Vision. The selection had been off the track for around eighteen months prior to his hurdling debut at Lingfield last month and is entitled to improve for the outing. He was still fit enough to produce an impressive display and he ran out a ready winner on the heavy ground. He may not have beaten a great deal but he was a smart performer on the level and should take high order over obstacles. Hold Em comes here on the back of a comfortable success in a novices' hurdle at Hereford. He may not have had a great deal to beat that day but he showed a decent level of form in bumpers and it was a pleasing introduction. Helens Vision destroyed a useful field at Newbury with a powerful front running display on her penultimate start. She can be forgiven her latest start back at the Berkshire track as she knocked a joint and she'll be tough to pass if back to her best today. Razor Royale sets a decent standard of form but looks vulnerable under his penalties whilst Marleybow has impressed so far but faces a far tougher test here. So, for the winner, we come back to Aigle D'Or.
Gauvain (GER) 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway to lead after 7th, ridden and headed after 3 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 9, 19l behind Souffleur (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Razor Royale (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Held up, short-lived effort approaching 3 out, one pace, 4th of 9, 33l behind Souffleur (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Aigle D'or 11-10fav (10-12) Always going well and in touch, led on bit 2 out, left clear last, easily, won at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft beating Wind Instrument (10-12) by 17l, 11 ran.
Evelith Echo 9-2 (11-5) Not always fluent, took keen hold in touch, hit 3rd, ridden in 4th 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 9l behind Song of Songs (11-0) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Hold Em (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Keen early, always prominent, led 3 out, readily, won at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Spare Cash (11-6) by 3l, 16 ran.
Marleybow (IRE) 10-11fav (10-12) Chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, led last, kept on well, won at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Innominate (10-12) by 3l, 16 ran.
What A Friend Evensfav (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden to lead before last, ran on well, won at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Spare Cash (10-12) by 2l, 15 ran.
Durante (IRE) 8-13fav (11-6) Tracked leader when fell 9th fell in race won by Lenny (11-1) at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (4) hvy in Mar, 5 ran.
Helens Vision 15-8fav (10-12) Led until 3rd, chased leader, regained lead briefly approaching 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 18, 27l behind Khyber Kim (11-0) at Newbury 2m hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Junior 25-1 (10-13) In touch, lost place 3rd, bumped on inside on bend approaching 5th, ridden, stayed on approaching last, not troubled leaders, 6th of 24, 10l behind Gaspara (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Flower Haven 11-1 (11-6) Held up, ridden 8th, soon beaten, 4th of 14, 42l behind Fondness (11-4) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
