midfield, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
prominent, close up 2 out, ridden and weakened before last
held up in midfield, headway between horses 2 out, chased leader last, stayed on flat but no chance with winner
pressed leader, led after 1st, joined 5th, headed before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, outpaced before last, stayed on flat
midfield, dropped towards rear 2nd, ridden and lost touch after 3 out, no impression
held up in rear, pushed along after 5th, headway before 2 out, ridden to chase leading pair last, kept on flat
held up in rear, some headway 5th, switched to near rail and rapid headway to lead before last, driven out flat
pressed leader, headed after 1st, led before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, headed before last, weakened flat
FRENCH CRUSADER is a most intriguing runner on the card. He has always been held in high regard at Seven Barrows and was last seen hunting up his stable companion and subsequent Champion Hurdle winner Epatante in a Listed hurdle at Newbury in late 2019. He may still have the quality to defy top weight on this belated reappearance. Nordic Combined, another Pipe raider on the card, was far from disgraced when seventh in the Swinton Hurdle and this represents a less daunting task. He rates the leading threat to the selection with match fitness assured with the admirably-consistent Constancio completing the shortlist.
French Crusader (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led before 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Epatante (11-6) at Newbury 2m hcp lst (1) gs in Nov.
Constancio (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed narrowly 2 out, lost ground before last, ran on flat, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Mick Maestro (11-1) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Nordic Combined (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Mid-division, in touch on outside 5th, edged left and bumped after 2 out, weakened flat, 7th of 14, 19 1/2l behind Copperless (10-4) at Haydock 2m hcp (1) sft in May.
Newtown Boy (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 11, 24 3/4l behind Minella Trump (11-8) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in May.
Beeno (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Edged left start, slightly worse than midfield on outer, some progress before 3 out, pushed after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on without threatening, 5th of 11, 17 1/2l behind Historic Heart (11-9) at Perth 2m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Iolani (GER) 20-1 (11-0) Chased leader, ridden and weakened before 3 out, last of 8, 32 1/4l behind Torigni (12-1) at Ayr 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Valentino Dancer 9-4fav (11-12) Held up in mid-division on inside, closed from 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon shaken up, ridden and beaten after 2 out, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Blue Ribbon (10-13) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Fisher Green (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up in last trio, good headway chasing leaders before hit 2nd and next, soon 2nd, weakened home turn, 6th of 8, 32 1/2l behind Nordic Combined (11-3) at Hexham 2m hcp (3) gs in May.
