held up in rear, headway after 7th, disputing well held 5th when blundered 4 out, weakened soon after
behind, headway after 7th, weakened after next, tailed off
always in rear, well behind after 7th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
tracked leader, led approaching 4 out, clear 2 out, stayed on strongly, easily
chased leaders, mistake 1st, weakened before 4 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, plugged on
led, headed approaching 4 out, chased winner to next, rallied to regain well held 2nd last, no chance with winner
chased leaders until weakened after 7th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 3 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, plugged on one pace
mid-division, ridden and weakened after 7th, soon tailed off
held up in rear, unseated rider after 9th
held up in mid-division, headway into 3rd after 7th, went 2nd 3 out, no impression when hit next, lost well held 2nd last
always in rear, ridden and struggling after 7th, tailed off
mid-division, weakened 7th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
A terrific line-up with lots to consider however BAKBENSCHER looks like the sort to do well this season and is preferred to Alfie Sherrin and Elusive Dream who give Paul Nicholls a strong hand. The selection has run well in the past, winning on this same weekend last year on his first start over hurdles. He made rapid strides last season and his two length second to Big Eared Fran at Sandown was a career best. He is with a fine yard and looks a major player. Alfie Sherrin is ridden by Ruby Walsh, perhaps indicating that this unbeaten daughter of Kayf Tara has progressed well over the summer and a mark of 130 may be lenient. Also representing the Ditcheat team is top-weight Elusive Dream. Harry Skelton claims three off his back but this classy course and distance winner drops in grade and has the ability to put in a bold bid under his big weight. El Dancer also drops in grade but steps up in trip and there may be a question or two there, Prince Taime progressed with every start last year and has some solid Listed form to his name, whilst Mr Thriller ran well at Cheltenham when last seen. Ring The Boss returns to hurdles, over which he has some fine form, and he has won on his seasonal reappearance before so along with the potentially well-treated Oscar Park he needs respect. Golan Way will be underestimated, Argento Luna is talented but quirky and may struggle against the boys, whilst course and distance winner Dantari is not harshly treated with a 4lb rise for his recent win and he has fitness guaranteed. A wonderful Listed Handicap Hurdle, in which the narrow vote goes to Bakbenscher.
Elusive Dream 14-1 (11-7) Held up, disputing 5th and travelling well when fell 4 out, in a race won by Punchestowns (11-7) at Ascot 3m 1f hdl G1 (1) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
El Dancer (GER) 12-1 (11-12) Setlled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra entering straight, weakened before last, 6th of 8, 20l behind Hurricane Fly (11-12) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl G2 sft in Apr.
Prince Taime (FR) 9-2fav (11-10) Soon tracking leaders, ridden after 4 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 10, 4l behind How's Business (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Mr Thriller (FR) 14-1 (11-10) In touch, disputing 2nd when hit 2 out, not much room soon after, stayed on same pace last, 6th of 22, 8l behind Silk Affair (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (4yo) (1) gs in Mar.
Ring The Boss (IRE) 22-1 (11-10) In touch, struggling 12th, beaten 4 out, 12th of 20, 41l behind Chapoturgeon (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Oscar Park (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Blundered and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Hennessy (10-7) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 14 ran.
Golan Way 28-1 (11-7) Led, blundered 4th, headed next, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 20, 23l behind Go Native (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Amber Brook (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, reminders after 3 out, never in contention, 12th of 21, 36l behind Quevega (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gs in Mar.
Bakbenscher 6-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway 6th, chased leaders before 2 out, every chance last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 18, 2 3/4l behind Big Eared Fran (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
South O'The Border 2-1fav (10-11) In touch, led before 3 out, soon ridden and hard pressed, stayed on from last, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr beating Wikaala (10-3) by 9l, 10 ran.
To Arms 11-4fav (11-12) Held up, mistake 4th, headway 4 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Sheshali (11-6) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-135 (5) gd in Jun.
Alfie Sherrin 4-7fav (10-12) Prominent, led after 3 out, clear next, stayed on well, kept up to work, comfortably, won at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Feb beating Ballycarney (10-12) by 16l, 12 ran.
Mumbles Head (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Led to 4th, remained handy until weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 19th of 22, well behind Sunnyhillboy (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Dantari (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, tracked leader after 5 out, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on well under pressure from last, led near finish, won at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd beating Clyffe Hanger (9-12) by hd, 16 ran.
Secret Tune 9-2 (11-12) Held up, headway on outside approaching 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Treaty Flyer (11-1) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd.
Argento Luna 3-1fav (10-7) Held up towards rear, some headway before 2 out, weakened soon after, 8th of 12, 43l behind How's Business (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f mrs lst hdl (1) gd in Apr.
King's Revenge 14-1 (11-4) Ran in snatches, towards rear and pushed along 5th, headway approaching 4 out, ridden and no extra after next, 7th of 16, 19l behind Dantari (11-1) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
