jumped well, led until headed 4th, chased leader, led again before 8th, narrowly headed before 4 out, led again 2 out, stayed on well from last
in last pair, went modest 3rd before 4 out until close home, tailed off
tended to jump right, took keen hold, chased winner 2nd, led narrowly 4th, headed before and hit 8th, led again before 4 out, went right 3 out, headed next, no extra before last
chased winner until 2nd, stayed in 3rd until before 4 out, rallied to poor 3rd again close home, tailed off
last pair, slow went left and lost touch 6th, tailed off, pulled up after next
After a successful first campaign over hurdles, it was always likely that BARIZAN would struggle in his second season. Evan Williams' front-runner kept plugging away, however, and wasn't disgraced at either the Cheltenham Festival or in the highly-competitive Swinton Hurdle at Haydock on his latest start. Providing he treats these fences with a bit of respect, the five-year-old should have too much class for these. Helium is another decent hurdler but didn't take to the larger obstacles here 18 months ago so is probably best watched today, though he arguably has more scope than Closesthingtocrazy and Mister Matt.
Barizan (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, led 5th, headed 3 out, soon faded, 6th of 22, 19l behind Eradicate (11-5) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in May.
Closesthingtocrazy 11-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, headway to track leading pair 3 out, ridden and one pace from next, 3rd of 7, 20l behind Rio Gael (11-0) at Fakenham 2m beg chase (4) gf in May.
Helium (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 2nd, went 2nd 3 out, challenged next, led last, soon ridden and edged left, headed flat, unable to quicken, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind King Brex (11-3) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in May.
Mister Matt (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) With leaders, led 2nd, narrowly headed 6th, led again 10th, headed before 3 out, dropped to 3rd and struggling soon after, tailed off, 3rd of 4, well behind Felix Da Housecat (11-0) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gf in May.
Westcoat Lad 8-1 (12-0) Led to 15; wknd rap, 5th of 10, 38l behind Golden Tangle (11-7) at Garthorpe 3m ptp gf in May.