made all, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on well, impressive
behind, headway from 3 out, ridden and ran on flat, nearest at finish
keen and in touch, slipped on landing 2nd, pulled up before next
always in rear
chased winner to approaching 4 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
mid-division until weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up last
in rear, ridden after 4th, never nearer
in touch throughout, effort 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up, headway approaching 4 out, chased winner from 3 out, ridden approaching last, no extra flat
prominent, headway on stand side approaching 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last
chased leaders until ridden and weakened after 4th
behind, hard ridden after 4th, never in contention
Fire Dragon is nominated to land today's contest with Nanga Parbat and Admiral selected as probable dangers. Jonjo O'Neill's charge was very weak in the market prior to his reappearance victory at Huntingdon so punters were rewarded at an unbelievable SP of 8/1. He won decisively and after such a long absence, there is every chance that he has improved again. Connections probably will not want any further rain. Nanga Parbat was well touted prior to his British debut. He was only to win one start in this country but the fact that he still occupies a barn at Paul Nicholls suggests that we haven't seen the best of him. Admiral was a very useful juvenile hurdler last term and should be fit for this after two recent outings on the flat. It will be a good effort for him to win with so much weight in the saddle but he did look useful. Etendard Indien made all to win a Kempton Novice Hurdle in February. A Grade 2 performer on the flat in France, he has to respected. Noble Request has plenty of speed and should be with them in the early stages. Regal Setting never quite justified his lofty price tag last year. Darrias looks best of the remainder. Fire Dragon was impressive last time out and he gets our selection.
Admiral (IRE) 10-3 (11-6) Made all, keen with mistakes early, ridden after 2 out, kept on well, won at Ayr 2m 4yo nov hdl (B) gd in Apr beating Afrad (11-3) by 3l, 8 ran.
Darrias (GER) Evensfav (11-7) Held up in touch, took keen hold, chased winner under pressure after 3 out, lost 2nd and no extra towards finish, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Harrycat (10-11) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (C) gf in Aug.
Fire Dragon (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up, badly hampered 3rd, headway 6th, not fluent 7th, ridden to lead 2 out, edged slightly left flat, ran on, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Sept beating My Galliano (10-0) by 5l, 11 ran.
Arrayou (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 3rd, ridden to lead flat, driven out, won at Worcester 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Apr beating Cherub (12-0) by 1l, 13 ran.
Noble Request (FR) 7-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 13, 18l behind Standin Obligation (11-7) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Apr.
Etendard Indien (FR) 22-1 (11-0) In touch, mistake 3 out, pulled up before next pulled up 4 out in race won by Penzance (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar, 23 ran.
Regal Setting (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Held up, ridden after 3 out, no response, 21st of 24, well behind Dabiroun (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4yo hcp hdl (A) gd in Mar.
Ursis (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway after 4 out, led 2 out, pushed clear last, easily, won at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Nov beating Dhehdaah (10-12) by 5l, 23 ran.
Zalda 25-1 (11-1) Held up, headway on outside approaching 2 out, never near enough to challenge, 7th of 24, 15l behind Dabiroun (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4yo hcp hdl (A) gd in Mar.
Nanga Parbat (FR) 9-2 (10-7) In touch, blundered 1st, took closer order after 3 out, ridden and weakened quickly next, 6th of 8, 32l behind Handy Money (11-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Mar.
Double Dizzy 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 6th early, 9th 4 out, no extra from next, 11th of 25, 33l behind Strides of Fire (10-7) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl sft in Apr.
Moon Catcher 25-1 (10-8) Held up in touch, chased winner after 4th, jumped slowly 6th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, mistake last, 7th of 9, 45l behind Penneyrose Bay (11-3) at Worcester 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (D) gf.
