prominent until not much room 2nd, chased leaders, went 2nd from 2 out, hung left and held flat, kept on
pressed leader, led before 4th, headed 4 out, 3rd from 2 out, no impression flat
chased leaders, lost ground 4th, mistake 7th, closed after next, hit 5 out, weakened 3 out
reluctant to race, slowly away, behind and jumped right, closed after 8th, mistake 5 out, weakened before 4 out
led until before 4th, led again 4 out, stayed on well flat, ridden out
NonRunner
NonRunner
Nicky Henderson runs two in this but it’s no surprise that Nico de Boinville has chosen the returning MISTER COFFEY after Cascova disgraced himself at Ascot. The former kept very good company over hurdles last season after winning at Sandown and is still relatively unexposed. L'Homme Presse has had only four career starts and could be anything while Boothill was well backed and travelled strongly on his reappearance in a hot handicap hurdle at Ascot and should also make a chaser. Solo was only beaten a nose at Ascot but probably needs a bit further. Fifty Ball finished second in the Betfair Hurdle here in February and was a close third on his fencing debut at Sandown so adds to the interest.
Solo (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Held up in 5th out wide early, good headway on inside tracking leaders 10th, 2nd going well before 2 out, led before last, ridden and strongly pressed run-in, veered badly left bumped winner and headed final strides, 2nd of 7, shd behind Nassalam (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Mister Coffey (FR) 6-1fav (10-13) Chased leaders on inside, mistake and lost some places 4th, 9th final bend, not clear run before 2 out, not clear run and switched right before last, ran on well flat, went 4th close home, 4th of 22, 5 1/4l behind Tronador (10-4) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Fifty Ball (FR) 3-1 (11-8) Took keen hold, held up in rear on outside, closed from 10th, 2 lengths 2nd when slow last, no impression on winner flat, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Minella Trump (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Cascova (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Refused to race, at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Not Available (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, chased winner before 2nd until 4 out, outpaced before next, rallied into modest 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 7 3/4l behind Witness Protection (11-2) at Chepstow 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Boothill (IRE) 5-2fav (11-3) Chased leaders on inside, led 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed next, headed before last, disputing well held 2nd run-in, no chance with winner, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Soaring Glory (11-11) at Ascot 2m hcp lst (1) sft in Oct.
L'Homme Presse (FR) 13-2 (11-0) Raced wide, chased leader until pushed along before 2 out, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 12, 13 1/4l behind Scaramanga (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
