held up, ridden 4 out, soon beaten
led, ridden and headed after 2 out, pecked last, weakened flat
in touch, effort 2 out, driven and one pace flat
in touch, mistakes 4th and 5th, ridden 3 out, soon beaten
tracked leader, ridden to lead after 2 out, headed briefly last, rallied to lead near line
held up in touch, headway 2 out, led briefly last, headed and no extra close home
Sublimity finished behind PUNJABI in the Champion Hurdles in both England and Ireland last season and Robert Hennessy's gelding may again have to settle for minor honours behind Nicky Henderson's runner, who gets the verdict in this rearranged Fighting Fifth, with Blue Bajan rated the clear pick of the remainder. The selection showed decent form as a novice two seasons ago and progressive form last term, culminating with those efforts when third at Cheltenham and then winning at Punchestown. The son of Komaite has shown winning form on the flat in two starts on the level since then in May and he looks the one they all have to beat. Howard Johnson's Arcalis is not as good as he once was but was still good enough to win at Sandown when last seen in April and he makes more appeal than Beau Michael, who needs to improve on all known form to trouble the judge. Gordon Elliott's Harper Valley is less exposed than his rivals but is another that needs to step up on previous form to trouble the market principals and of more interest may be Andy Turnell's Blue Bajan, who looks to be going the right way judged by his reappearance run at Ascot last month. The 2007 Champion Hurdle winner Sublimity has only had three starts since that triumph and while he has shown decent form, he is held by Punjabi on form last term and Nicky Henderson's gelding looks the percentage call.
Arcalis 4-7fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, driven to chase clear leader before last, strong challenge and edged right flat, stayed on to dead-heat on line, won at Sandown 2m hdl (2) gf in Apr '07 deadheating with Penzance (11-4), 6 ran.
Beau Michael 6-4fav (11-10) Led, joined and disputed 4 out, led again entering straight, ridden and headed before last, remained challenging, no extra run-in, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind River Liane (11-4) at Naas 2m 4yo lst hdl sft in Nov.
Blue Bajan (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on well from last, 3rd of 15, 7l behind Sentry Duty (11-0) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Harper Valley (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, prominent, not fluent 2nd, mistake 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 3rd of 10, 20l behind Binocular (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Apr.
Punjabi 2-1 (11-12) Chased leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 2 out, led before straight, ridden clear, mistake last, tired and driven out run-in, won at Punchestown 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr beating Sublimity (11-12) by 3l, 6 ran.
Sublimity (FR) 15-8fav (11-12) Raced in moderate 5th, 4th and ridden after 2 out, moderate 2nd straight, headway when kept on run-in, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Punjabi (11-12) at Punchestown 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
