led, pushed along approaching 2 out, ridden and headed last, no extra flat
held up in touch, headway going well before 2 out went 2nd 2 out, led last ridden clear flat
took keen hold, raced wide, held up, progressed 4th, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, mistake and went 2nd soon aftrer 2 out, hung left but stayed on well flat
tended to jump right, chased leader until mistake and lost 2nd 2 out, weakened and head last
held up, mistake 2nd, hit next, ridden and struggling 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders until lost place before 6th, struggling in rear soon after, tailed off
always in rear, struggling 3 out, tailed off when hit last
chased leading pair, mistake 6th, weakened into 5th when hit 2 out
held up, some headway on inside approaching 2 out, no headway soon after
took keen hold, held up mistake 5th, ridden and struggling after 3 out tailed off
Lucy Wadham's Emperor Concerto won well enough when getting the better of Quelqu'Un Comme Toi at Worcester last month and he has to be considered under his penalty but it is hard to get away from the other previous winner over hurdles, SONOWYOUNO, who gets the vote ahead of Swansbrook. Alan King has his string coming into good heart now and, having shown a decent level of form in bumpers, the son of Alderbrook has to be respected first time up over hurdles. Richard Phillips has had a few winners of late so Good For Blue is worthy of a mention but he needs to step up on previous form to trouble the judge and of more interest may be Divy. George Baker's gelding found just the one too good on his bumper debut but has won twice since then and he has to be respected on his hurdling debut. Nick Gifford's Ashleys Lad ran well on his only start in a bumper at Stratford in March and could be of interest first time up over timber but Sonowyouno should be tough to beat. A point-to-point winner in Ireland, Jonjo O'Neill's gelding made a pleasing start under rules when finding just one too good in a Sedgefield bumper in April prior to making a winning start over timber in a maiden hurdle at Aintree last month. That was over an inadequate two miles though and, with the longer trip likely to suit, Sonowyouno can follow up that recent success.
Emperor Concerto 9-4fav (11-0) In touch, switched left and chased winner 2 out, led last, hung right flat, not doing a lot in front, ridden out, won at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct beating Quelqu'un Comme Toi (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 13 ran.
Sonowyouno (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Led, headed approaching 3rd, tracked leaders, led narrowly 2 out, headed last, rallied to regain lead towards finish, won at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct beating Sunarri (11-0) by hd, 13 ran.
Ashleys Lad (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Prominent, led over 6f out, headed over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 16, 11l behind Quideo De Touzaine (11-4) at Stratford 2m mdn NH flat (5) gs in Mar.
Divy (FR) 8-15fav (11-3) Chased leader, pushed along to lead 3f out, through clear final 2f, won at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (6) gd in Apr beating Last One Standing (11-9) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Good For Blue (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 6th of 15, 8l behind Get Me Out Of Here (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gs in May.
Notmorebrandy (IRE) 4-6 (12-0) Ww, prog to mod 4th 3out, went ok 3rd 2out, eff bef last but not get on terms, nrs fin, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Wantanamoe Bay (12-0) at Maralin 3m ire ptp gd in May.
Shadow Wood (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, jumped left last, never near leaders, 5th of 16, 36l behind Rebel Du Maquis (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Swansbrook (IRE) 5-2 (11-10) Mid-division, headway over 7f out, ridden and every chance 3f out, soon outpaced by winner, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 14, 13l behind Giordano Bruno (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Mar.
Uffa Fox (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up, soon mid-division, hit 4th, headway next, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 11, 41l behind Balthazar King (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 4f NH mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Wham Bang 40-1 (10-7) Never a factor, 8th of 12, 17l behind Smuglin (10-4) at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gd in May '08.
Bobbisox (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway after 6f, weakened over 5f out, 7th of 11, 47l behind Roses (10-12) at Southwell 2m cond & am NH flat (6) gd in May.
