raced freely, led, hanging left and rider on one rein from 5th, still hanging left when narrowly headed 2 out, held when hit last, found nil flat
chased leader until slow 4th, lost 3rd 5th, weakened after 3 out, poor 4th when hit 2 out, tailed off
soon settled in 4th place, went 3rd 5th, chased leader after 3 out, pushed along to challenge before next, narrow lead 2 out, driven before last, in command when edged right under pressure flat, stayed on well
not fluent 1st and next, always in last pair, ridden and o chance 3 out, tailed off
took keen hold in last pair, ridden and no chance 3 out, tailed off
chased leading pair, went 2nd 4th, hit next, lost 2nd after 3 out, outpaced by leading duo from 2 out, beaten when hit last
Kid Cassidy sets a very decent standard here on his defeat of Tornado Bob at Newbury in November, despite failing to get to grips with Rock On Ruby and Megastar on a return visit to the Berkshire track a month later. The form of that latest race has taken a few knocks since, however, and Nicky Henderson's gelding may just be worth taking on at the likely odds with newcomer SHUIL ROYALE. Tremendously impressive in winning a Wincanton bumper under a penalty earlier this month, the latter is by leading NH sire King's Theatre and a half-brother to several very useful hurdlers and chasers and his debut over obstacles has been keenly awaited. Hildisvini won a Warwick bumper last month and is probably the pick of the remainder.
Kid Cassidy (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) Took keen hold, held up in 6th, 8th after 4 out, modest 3rd as field came into view final 110 yards, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Rock On Ruby (11-0) at Newbury 2m hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Brannoc (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, steady headway over 5f out, plugged on one pace final 2f, 5th of 14, 21l behind Camden (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Hildisvini (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, pushed along to close over 4f out, ridden to chase leader when edged left 2f out, soon edged right, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Warwick 2m NH flat (6) gs in Jan beating Young Victoria (10-5) by 2l, 18 ran.
Ronnie Ronalde (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Behind until some late headway, never on terms, 6th of 12, well behind Al Ferof (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Jan.
Royal Mile (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Prominent, led 3rd until not fluent 6th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Captain Kirkton (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs.
Shuil Royale (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Raced on inside, took keen hold in mid-division, hampered on bend approaching straight, led over 2f out, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) gs beating Daymar Bay (11-5) by 2 1/4l, 17 ran.
