tracked leaders, led 3 out, hit 2 out, cleverly
held up, pulled hard, mistake 1st, ridden and struggling after 7th
mid-division, hampered 1st, dropped rear 6th, struggling after
held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, not fluent 3 out, weakening when jumped left 2 out
prominent, not fluent 6th, soon weakened
raced keenly, tracked leader after 1st, led 4th, headed after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
led to 4th, remained prominent, weakened 3 out
soon dropped to mid-division, pushed along and in rear 3rd, mistake next, tailed off after 5th, pulled up before 3 out
always towards rear, lost touch 6th, tailed off
in touch, mistake 1st, jumped left 2nd, not fluent 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression flat
mid-division, hampered 2nd, outpaced after 7th, no danger after, blundered and went moderate 4th last
prominent, led after 7th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened after 2 out
in rear, struggling after 4th, tailed off after next, pulled up before 3 out
The manner in which ERZEN made a successful hurdles bow is enough to secure our confidence for the gelding to make it two from two at the expense of Pasdelou and Planetarium. The selection won his first start over timber by seven lengths and despite being kept up to his work wasn't pressed that hard. Related to plenty of decent stayers on the level, including an Ascot Gold Cup winner, he has the class to improve for the run and will be hard to beat under Tony McCoy who has a 30% strike rate on Nicky Henderson horses. Pasdelou made a bold bid on his hurdles debut in a similar contest last time only weakening late on. That was his first run in over a year so he should be fitter and we expect another big run. Planetarium was relatively useful on the flat rated in the mid eighties and should go well on his debut in this sphere for a stable who have been sending out winners. Devon Native put in some good performances in some weak bumpers and his breeding suggests he'll improve for jumping hurdles but would probably have to show vast progression to beat Erzen this time.
Erzen (IRE) 3-1fav (10-12) Held up, headway 4 out, led approaching 3 out, ridden out, won at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating William's Wishes (10-7) by 7l, 9 ran.
Adare (GER) 50-1 (11-0) Mistake 3rd, always towards rear, 10th of 18, 48l behind Red Lancer (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf.
Cash Calculator (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Held up towards rear, not fluent 8th, soon pushed along and struggling, 10th of 15, 43l behind Dreamy Sweeney (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Come West (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hit 6th, weakened 8th, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Vasodilator (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Kahyasi Jack (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Held up and keen, weakened after 5th, 8th of 14, well behind Horseford Hill (10-11) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Karinga Magic 28-1 (10-12) Mid-division until weakened approaching 7th, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Dais Return (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Pasdelou (FR) 22-1 (11-0) Led, ridden after 3 out, weakening when headed last, 3rd of 14, 14l behind Horseford Hill (10-11) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Safeguard (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Always behind, 9th of 13, 28l behind Ballykelly (10-11) at Lingfield 2m NH flat (6) std in Mar '06.
Planetarium 18-1 (8-12) In touch until ridden and weakened over 3f out, 9th of 10, 37l behind Inventor (8-10) at Haydock 1m 4f 3yo hcp (2) sft in Jul (flat).
Devon Native (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) In touch, raced keenly, pushed along over 5f out, stayed on to take 2nd entering in final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Jenny's Gold (10-7) at Towcester 2m N H flat (5) gs in Apr.
Leader Blue (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Jumped slowly 2nd, always towards rear, no chance after 7th, 8th of 13, well behind Daurica (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Photogenique (FR) 28-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden and weakened 4 out, 10th of 14, well behind Paradise Expected (11-7) at Stratford 2m 6f cnd mrs hcp hdl (0-85) (5) gd in Mar.
Springtree (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) In rear, headway after 3 out, weakened and no impression on leaders next, 4th of 14, 23l behind Viva Colonia (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd.
