in touch, tracked leaders 6th, ridden to lead after 2 out, headed before last, no extra
held up, headway 3 out, soon driven, led before last, stayed on well, driven out
led until 9th, regained lead after 3 out, soon ridden, headed after 2 out, weakened
held up, headway after 9th, weakened 2 out
mid-division, squeezed out on bend after 9th, lost position, ridden after 3 out, hit 2 out, stayed on
chased leaders, led 9th until after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
held up, behind, some headway 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on after 2 out, went 3rd last
in touch, hit 4th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
mid-division, headway to track leaders 3 out, ridden 2 out, faded and lost 3rd approaching last
chased leaders, ridden after 9th, lost touch quickly, pulled up after 3 out
There were excuses for Inglis Drever in last year's renewal of this Grade 2 contest when Blazing Bailey had his measure by four lengths, but it should be a different story today and the champion staying hurdler can confirm his status with a win. Howard Johnson's charge was giving Blazing Bailey 8lb in this last year but they race off level weights now, which is a clear plus for favourite backers. Added to that is the knowledge that the champ is sound and in good form this season, when last year there were questions to be answered about his wellbeing, and it is very hard to oppose him with conditions to suit. Blazing Bailey has the clear look of forecast material. He holds the second highest official rating, 163, which is 9lb lower than Inglis Drever. Juice in the ground suits and if he runs to his best then he should finish in the frame. Lough Derg sprang a surprise over a similar trip at Ascot in December and was good enough to drop back to 2m 4f and defy a 9lb rise himself back at the Berkshire venue last weekend. With David Pipe's yard back firing again he is certainly respected and his front running style will have plenty off the bridle by the top of the hill, though a win at these weights would be another shock. Millenium Royal is inconsistent but does love plenty of cut and a trip. At these weights he'd have a very good chance of making the frame if he's in the right mood, but he does appear to be better giving lumps of weight away in handicaps as opposed to running in graded contests so he is opposed. Chief Dan George was good enough to have Wichita Lineman four lengths adrift at Aintree last April but he has shown nothing like that form in two starts since. He will revel in the mud but the jury is out until we see something more positive on the racetrack again. Sonnyanjoe is very consistent but he would prefer it drier and has a fair task at the weights and the same can be said of Gone To Lunch, while Itsa Legend and Raslan both have ability and conditions to suit but you'd be hard pressed to stake any cash with the way this raced is framed. Inglis Drever is unequivocally the champion staying hurdler at the moment and he can show us why again today.
Blazing Bailey 11-2 (11-12) Held up, ridden and headway after 3 out, joined leaders approaching last, soon led and clear, ran on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl (2) gs beating Wichita Lineman (11-12) by 8l, 7 ran.
Inglis Drever 15-8fav (11-8) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, every chance when left in lead 2 out, ran on well, eased near finish, won at Newbury 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec beating Special Envoy (11-0) by 4l, 7 ran.
Lough Derg (FR) 6-1 (11-10) Led until 3rd, led again after next, headed 4 out, hard ridden and stayed on under strong pressure to lead after last, won at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) sft beating Warne's Way (10-1) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Redemption 40-1 (11-12) Towards rear, hit 3rd, mistake 6th, effort approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 7, 32l behind Blazing Bailey (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl (2) gs.
Chief Dan George (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Raced in 3rd and led chasing group, ridden 9th, beaten next, no chance when jumped violently left 3 out, 7th of 9, well behind Lough Derg (11-7) at Ascot 3m 1f hdl Grd 1 (1) gf in Dec.
Sonnyanjoe (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Always prominent, disputed lead from 6th, led 5 out, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out, soon outpaced, kept on under pressure from last, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Sweet Kiln (11-3) at Leopardstown 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Dec.
Gone To Lunch (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up, still well behind 3 out, moved closer, still plenty to do 2 out, headway approaching last, kept on well flat, took 2nd final strides, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Nenuphar Collonges (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Dec.
Itsa Legend 100-1 (11-7) Towards rear on outer, struggling 7th, headway after 3 out, stayed on well from next, 3rd of 20, 18l behind Wichita Lineman (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Mar.
Millenium Royal (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Held up, headway from 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 6th of 12, 7l behind Leading Contender (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Raslan 22-1 (11-12) Chased leader, led 2 out, blundered last, kept on well, won at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec beating Norton Sapphire (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
