held up in rear, never near to challenge
took keen hold, tracked leader, mistake 5th, mistake and lost 2nd 2 out, weakened and pulled up before last
hit 1st, tracked leaders and always going well, led 4th, clear 2 out, unchallenged
raced in 4th, hit 3rd, went poor 3rd after 2 out
went left start, led, hit 3rd, reluctant and headed after 4th, dropped 3rd, went 2nd again 2 out, but no chance with winner
keen, always behind, hit 1st and 2nd, tailed off 4th
Before The Mast, Dempsey, Full Of Michel and Heron's Ghyll catch the eye here with the selection being Heron's Ghyll. Tony McCoy partners the Noel Chance-trained Huntingdon bumper winner Before The Mast and this gelded son of Broken Hearted will know his job so looks set to play a prominent part on his hurdling debut. Dempsey is also making his hurdling bow but hails from a stable doing pretty well this season. He was second on his bumper debut behind the highly-regarded Chelsea Bridge in February and came good at Hereford last month. Nicely bred for this game, he looks set to win a novice event at some point - maybe today. Nicky Henderson's French import Full Of Michel has already won a chase for three-year-olds at Auteuil so, with his stable in very good form, has to be seriously considered too. Of the others, Philip Hobbs' Silver Chieftain is well-bred for the jumping game and should progress in time. This leaves the Venetia Williams-trained Heron's Ghyll, who won a Hereford bumper in February and was not disgraced behind Mr Ed on his hurdling debut 22 days ago. The winner there has since run well in a valuable Cheltenham handicap so, with the form looking solid, Heron's Ghyll can put his experience to good use and win here.
