held up in 5th, headway to chase winner 5th, not fluent 3 out or 2 out, soon challenging, edging left before last, straightened up when ran out at hurdle
led after 2nd, driven after 3 out, strongly pressed when left well clear last
tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 7th, chased winner 7th until next, weakened after 3 out, left 3rd last
tracked leaders, took keen hold, pushed along after 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, left 2nd last
led until after 2nd, chased winner, jumped slowly 3rd, last 7th, behind next, pulled up before 4 out
Nonrunner
Oscar's Ballad would be the selection here if connections opted to forego an entry in the handicap hurdle here on Wednesday night but, in his likely absence, stable companion TRENDELENBURG should prove a decent alternative. The six-year-old has won four of his last five starts over hurdles and may still be on the upgrade. Selection Box is a decent handicapper over fences on his day but is still a maiden over timber and may have to settle for a place again today.
Trendelenburg (IRE) 6-5fav (10-7) Held up in rear, headway 10th, challenged on bit 2 out, jinked right and led last, driven out, won at Perth 3m 3f con hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr beating Jaunty Journey (10-8) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Selection Box (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders on inner, mistake 6th, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra before 4 out, weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Hold The Pin (11-0) at Down Royal 3m 2f chs hvy in Mar, 10 ran.
Soldiers Tree (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Prominent, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden and headed, weakened before last, 6th of 13, 30l behind What A Warrior (10-8) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Tomzatackman (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, ridden and struggling after 7th, 8th of 14, well behind Sivola De Sivola (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Willowthewizard 200-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, tailed off, in a race won by Storm Brig (11-10) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb, 16 ran.
Oscar's Ballad (IRE) 7-4fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, blundered badly 7th, not fluent next, headway 9th, went 2nd after 2 out, led last, pushed clear, won at Perth 3m am hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr beating Banoge (10-10) by 9l, 18 ran.
