in touch, not fluent 3rd, blundered and unseated rider 4th
hampered 6th, always in rear
held up in rear, headway approaching 5th, lost place approaching 7th, no impression after
with leader, mistake 4th, led 7th, headed approaching 4 out, stayed on same pace, awkward on landing 2 out, went 2nd last but no chance with winner
prominent, challenged after 8th until before 4 out, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, challenged 4 out, not fluent 3 out, beaten next, lost 2nd last
mid-division, 5th and in touch when fell 6th
jumped right and mistake 1st, behind, slightly hampered 6th, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous
hampered and fell 1st
led to 7th, led approaching 4 out, drew clear from 2 out
mid-division, lost place when mistake 7th, no chance from next, tailed off
COPPER BLEU looks to have an outstanding chance of making a winning debut over fences, while Take The Breeze and Captain Americo should be in the mix. It is always a bit precarious taking on a Paul Nicholls-trained runner first time out over fences, and Take The Breeze would certainly be no shock winner here. He acts with plenty of cut and over the minimum trip and was a better-than-average handicap hurdler. However, Copper Blue has a touch more class over the smaller obstacles, won't be found wanting for preparation, and he is also at his best over this trip and on very testing ground. He is taken to score. Captain Americo will relish conditions and has the stamina for much further than this, so it may be that for today things happen a bit too quickly for him, but he looks sure to pick up races when sent back over further. Bottomless ground and this trip bring out the best in Stradbrook. He has a stone or so to find with the selection on hurdles form and we will only find out if he is better over fences as his debut unfolds. Paul Nicholls will have a line on Award Winner through Tataniano, who thrashed the Brendan Powell inmate here last month, and it is likely that he will need to improve to trouble the leading lights today, while Ballinderry Park needs a market check as a mudlark who races over his optimum trip and comes from a yard in decent shape. Even so, Copper Bleu has plenty going for him and gets the vote.
Ajzal (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, led flat, kept on, won at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar beating St Killian's Run (11-1) by 2l, 15 ran.
Award Winner 15-2 (11-2) Held up, closed 5th, no impression in 3rd before 4 out, went 2nd last, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 5, 32l behind Tataniano (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (3) gd in Oct.
Ballinderry Park (FR) 4-5fav (11-9) Mid-division, headway and went 2nd 2 out, ridden and soon weakened, 5th of 16, 20l behind Livvy Inn (10-2) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Captain Americo (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Tracked leading pair until chased winner after 5th, challenged 13th, lost 2nd approaching 4 out, soon beaten, last of 3, 16l behind Pride Of Dulcote (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f nov stks (3) gs in Oct.
Cloud Nine (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Led until after 1st, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened quickly approaching 3 out, 8th of 10, well behind Darstardly Dick (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Dec.
Copper Bleu (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Led, headed 2 out, disputed entering straight, soon ridden to lead again, challenged last, left clear, kept on well, won at Punchestown 2m nov hdl hvy in May beating Otay Kawn (11-12) by 8l, 16 ran.
Costa Courta (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, plugged on, 4th of 14, 14l behind Stage Acclaim (10-4) at Lingfield 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Dover's Hill 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led after 7th, blundered 2 out, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Kempton 2m 5f nov hcp 0-115 (4) gd in Apr beating Mollys Garden (11-1) by 4 1/2l, 18 ran.
Stradbrook (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, headway to 7th 3 out, ridden entering straight, no extra from 2 out, kept on one pace, 8th of 13, 20l behind Fisher Bridge (9-11) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl gd in Apr.
Take The Breeze (FR) 16-1 (9-13) In touch, effort 3 out, ridden and kept on until weakened flat, 9th of 14, 8l behind Noble Alan (10-5) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl Gr2 (1) gd in Apr.
Turnworth (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) Prom; led 14 til hdd & wknd app 2 out, 3rd of 13, 10l behind The Disengager (11-7) at Trebudannon 3m ptp in Apr.
