held up towards rear, under pressure approaching 3 out, soon beaten, tailed off
tracked leader, led after 4 out, drew clear 2 out, very easily
chased leaders, mistake 4th, slow next, soon lost place, rallied after 2 out, never a threat, modest 3rd
mid-division, headway 5 out, soon chasing leaders, never able to challenge, modest 4th
always behind, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, blundered 4 out, headway after next, soon weakened
led until after 4 out, soon lost place, tailed off
chased leaders, effort 3 out, outpaced by winner next, no impression, modest 2nd
Last year’s winner Never Equalled arrives in woeful form so this can go to CHAMPAGNE CHAMP. He has the best piece of recent form with a close-up second at Wincanton a week ago and Rod Millman’s charge can race off the same mark today. Satoshi has won a maiden hurdle for Gordon Elliott in Ireland but debuts for new connections while stablemate Sporting Boy is not badly treated on his best form but hasn’t won over hurdles since 2015. Zen Master finished runner-up here when last over timber nearly a year ago and could go well reverting to the smaller obstacles.
Satoshi (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) 5th of 6, 34l behind Go Another One (11-3) at Thurles 2m 4f (1) gd in Feb.
Champagne Champ 9-1 (11-11) 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Serosevsky (12-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Sporting Boy (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) 4th of 6, 28 1/2l behind Cotswold Way (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Zen Master (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) 2nd of 8, shd behind Barrack Street (9-6) at Mauritius 5f hcp gd in Apr.
Knight Destroyer (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) 10th of 11, 15 1/4l behind Dyliev (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) gd in Feb.
Oxwich Bay (IRE) 9-4 (12-1) 5th of 7, 8l behind Marmont (11-8) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Judge Earle (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) 16th of 18, dist behind Renwick (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Never Equalled (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
