took keen hold, held up in last, hampered 8th, headway approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up, headway 7th, went 2nd after 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon ridden, led towards finish, headed last strides
held up in touch, raced keenly, went 2nd approaching 6th, mistake 4 out, ridden after 3 out, jumped left 2 out and last, rallied under strong pressure flat, led last strides
chased leader, led 7th, jumped right next, hit 2 out, ridden, headed towards finish, no extra
raced keenly, led to 7th, close 3rd when fell next
not fluent 1st, prominent, weakening when hit 7th, hampered next, tailed off
AFSOUN is likely to be a warm order here although is unlikely to have an easy time of things with Oh Crick in the line-up. Nicky Henderson's charge has spoilt his chance by getting worked up before his races in the past but he's a hurdler out of the top drawer on his day as he showed when finishing third in the Champion Hurdle in 2007. There was talk of his chasing career starting last season so he's sure to have been extensively schooled and, all being well, should be hard to beat. Doctor David was a useful hurdler who should make up into a chaser and he shouldn't be taken lightly but Oh Crick has surprised everyone with his level of progress and rates the main danger. He produced an excellent performance behind Poquelin at Cheltenham and will win more races but it's difficult to see him getting the better of Afsoun today.
Notre Cyborg (FR) 11-2 (11-10) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, not quicken, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Laoch Dubh (11-10) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Oh Crick (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 3 out, challenged approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 10, 5l behind Poquelin (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (2) gd in Oct.
Afsoun (FR) 13-2 (11-7) Held up, pushed along and lost place from 7th, 7th of 9, 39l behind Al Eile (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Doctor David 17-2 (11-6) Held up in touch, raced keenly, led 5th, came clear after 6th, ridden between last 2, stayed on well flat, won at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar beating Planet of Sound (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Flashy Sir 20-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 8th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 34l behind De Soto (11-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
Robert The Brave 50-1 (10-9) In touch, weakening when jumped slowly 4th, soon in rear, not fluent next, 18th of 20, well behind Font (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
