led until 8th, lost 3rd after 3 out, soon weakened, left 3rd 2 out
in rear, slow 1st, not fluent 4th, weakened 4 out, left 4th 2 out
chased leaders, challenged 11th, led after 4 out, out-jumped and headed 3 out, soon hung left, ridden and about 1 length down when fell 2 out
chased leader, led 8th, headed after 4 out, led again 3 out, about 1 length ahead and going best when left clear 2 out, stayed on
held up, hit 4 out, went 3rd after 3 out, no impression, left 2nd 2 out
NonRunner
NonRunner
Millers Bank was easily the best of these over hurdles, finishing third in a Grade 1 at Aintree in April. He will be the one to beat if handling the switch to fences but CADZAND, despite winning three times over timber, has always looked like a chaser in the making and could cause an upset. Nickolson has been very lightly raced and may also be worth following and he’s preferred to stablemate Champagnesuperover while The Cathal Don is penalised for winning at Tipperary in July when trained by Henry De Bromhead. Xcitations has won around here over hurdles but might struggle against some of these.
The Cathal Don (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, progress after 3 out, led before next, 4 length lead last, stayed on well, won at Tipperary 2m 1f Yielding in Jul beating Poseidon (12-0) by 8 1/2l, 11 ran.
Artemision 13-2 (11-2) Pulled hard on outside, handy, lost place before 6th, not fluent 7th, slow and weakened 4 out, 4th of 5, dist behind Grooveur (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) gd in Mar.
Cadzand (IRE) 10-11jfav (11-13) Tracked leaders early, taken back after 2nd, pushed along before 2 out in second, joined leader last, ridden out, won at Southwell 2m 4f (4) gs in Mar beating Nickle Back (11-1) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Millers Bank 80-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway after 8th, pushed along 3 out, stayed on flat, went 3rd inside final 75 yards, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Abacadabras (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Xcitations 6-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, led before 2 out, headed last, no impression on winner flat, kept on, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Garry Clermont (11-3) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in May.
Champagnesuperover (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) In rear, ridden along 2nd circuit, never involved, pulled up, at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Nickolson (FR) 16-1 (10-13) Mid-division on outside, took keen hold, not fluent 3rd, headway after 7th, not fluent 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 11 1/2l behind Wilde About Oscar (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
