led to 3 out, ridden before next, soon weakened
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden to chase winner before 2 out until no extra run-in
tracked leader, led 3 out, shaken up and kept on well from last
in rear and in touch, slightly outpaced from 4 out, went 3rd before last, kept on to chase winner run-in, always held towards finish
PEDDLERS CROSS won a Grade 1 over 2m5f at the Festival in 2010 before finishing runner-up in the following year's Champion Hurdle. He would need to win this impressively to earn a return visit to Cheltenham and the jury is still out as to whether he retains all of his ability but he'll be all the better for his run in a jumpers' bumper and has more than 30lb in hand over today's rivals on official ratings. On past evidence, stablemate Ubaltique may struggle to last home over this trip but Orsippus stays well and is a Grade 1 winner over timber. Cue To Cue won over 2m5f at Southwell in November and is a likeable mare but shouldn't trouble the favourite on these terms.
Ubaltique (FR) 3-1fav (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway from 3 out, chased winner last until no extra run-in, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Herdsman (10-3) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Orsippus (USA) 16-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, hit 4th, ridden before 3 out, behind when fell 2 out, in a race won by Attaglance (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr, 21 ran.
Peddlers Cross (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders, not much room 2f out on inner, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Sam Winner (11-0) at Kempton 2m n h flat (4) std in Jan.
Cue To Cue 7-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear on inside, good headway on inner after 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, led 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov beating Banyan Tree (11-1) by 6l, 10 ran.
