led, pushed along and hdd 7th, rdn after 4 out, chld 2 out, e.c flat wh r.o u.p
trkd ldr, rdn appr 3 out, wknd appr last
trkd ldrs, led 7th, not fluent 3 out, rdn appr 2 out, mistake last, k on gamely flat
towards rr, took closer order appr 7th, rdn after 4 out, mistake 3 out, sn wknd
i.t, took closer odrder appr 7th, rdn and bh from 4 out
in rr, rdn 4 out, nv 4 out
If able to reproduce the same form as he displayed when beating Baracouda in Ascot's Long Walk Hurdle last month, Deano's Beeno would be tough to beat in this valuable event. However, the 10-year-old had the run of the race that day and more significantly over the years he has rarely run the same race twice. As such Tony McCoy's mount is hardly a betting proposition, especially at the forecast odds and we would rather look elsewhere. Alan King's Stromness is the obvious alternative. The son of Trempolino sprung a surprise when getting the better of Ad Hoc and Eternal Spring at Cheltenham on his most recent start but, having been a decent novice last season, he is seemingly on the upgrade and gets the vote to win this en-route to the Stayers' Hurdle. Rum Pointer, seven lengths behind the selection at Cheltenham, re-opposes on 4lbs worse terms and is difficult to recommend with any confidence although he does seem to be improving with experience over hurdles. The unbeaten Lord Transcend is held in high regard by trainer Howard Johnson but faces his stiffest assignment to-date and is probably best watched. Springfield Scally and The Granby make limited appeal and appear out of their depth in this company.
